ECOWAS summons extraordinary summit on Burkina Faso

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced that an extraordinary summit will be held in the coming days to examine the situation following the military coup in Burkina Faso. “The ECOWAS notes that, despite calls from the regional and international community for calm and respect for constitutional legality, the situation in Burkina Faso is characterized by a military coup this Monday, January 24, 2022, following the resignation of the President Roch Marc Christian Kabore, obtained under threat, intimidation and pressure from the military after two days of mutiny,” the statement said.   The ECOWAS also “strongly condemned this coup by the military which marks a major democratic setback for Burkina Faso”. In a press release on Tuesday, the South African Government said it agrees with the ECOWAS that soldiers should return to barracks and utilise dialogue with the authorities to resolve all problems. “There can never be a military solution to issues of this nature, dialogue and negotiation are the only means of resolving conflict and arriving at lasting resolutions”, said the statement. Burkina Faso soldiers said Monday on national television that they had seized power and put an end to the functions of President Roch Kabore. The Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration (MPSR) took power, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba. Burkina Faso’s air borders were reopened on Tuesday, the MPSR announced in a statement on Burkina Faso’s national television. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at Place de la Nation in Ouagadougou on Tuesday in support of the coup. One demonstrator said he came out to show his support for the military. However, they were dispersed when they tried to move towards the Camp of Guillaume Ouedraogo in the city centre.