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1st LD Writethru: UN chief slams coup d'etat in Burkina Faso

Xinhua, September 18, 2015 Adjust font size:

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday condemned in the strongest terms the coup d'etat in Burkina Faso.

Burkina Faso's presidential guard unit, the former security team for former president Blaise Compaore, declared on Thursday that it had taken over power in the country. On Wednesday, the guard unit burst into a Cabinet meeting and arrested the interim president, prime minister and other leaders.

In a statement released by his spokesperson, Ban reiterated that all Burkinabé officials under detention must be released immediately and demanded the resumption of the country's political transition, in accordance with Burkina Faso's Constitution and Transitional Charter.

Ban also deplored the violence in the country and called on Burkinabe defence and security forces to exercise restraint and ensure respect for the human rights and security of all Burkinabé citizens.

"Those responsible for the coup d'etat and its consequences must be held accountable," said the statement.

The Secretary-General's Special Representative for West Africa, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, remains in Ouagadougou and continues to work closely with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union and other international partners to support and safeguard the transition in Burkina Faso, according to the statement.

An election is due in less than a month to aim to complete a transition back to democracy after a popular uprising toppled former president Compaore last year.

It was revealed that the guard unit was reacting to a report released two days ago by a reconciliation commission which called for its dissolution.

The coup plotters said they had immediately stripped the interim president of his functions and dissolved both the transition government and the National Transition Council, and they would hold "wide-ranging talks" to form a government that will organize "inclusive and peaceful elections."

Meanwhile, the Burkina Faso soldiers have announced a dusk-to-dawn curfew and closed the country's borders until further notice. Enditem