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1st LD Writethru: UN chief hails reinstatement of president in Burkina Faso after military takeover

Xinhua, September 24, 2015 Adjust font size:

UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday welcomed the formal reinstatement of President Michel Kafando and of the transitional institutions in Burkina Faso a week after a military takeover in the West African country, calling on "all national stakeholders to exercise restraint."

The UN secretary-general commended efforts undertaken by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) towards an early resolution of the political crisis, said a statement issued here by Ban's spokesman.

"He pays tribute to the excellent collaboration between the United Nations, the African Union, ECOWAS and other international partners to ensure the return to constitutional order in the country," the statement said.

"The resumption of the transition process will enable Burkina Faso to hold presidential and legislative elections in accordance with the country's Constitution and Transitional Charter," the statement said.

"He calls on all national stakeholders to exercise restraint and to ensure respect for the physical integrity and human rights of all Burkinabe citizens."

"The secretary-general's special Representative for West Africa, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, will continue to work closely with regional and international partners to support national authorities in the lead-up to peaceful and transparent elections," the statement said.

A week after the military takeover, Kafando was formally reinstated in a ceremony in the capital of Ouagadougou in the presence of several West African leaders who helped mediate an end to the crisis.

The reinstatement came as the leader of the coup, General Gilbert Diendere, said on Tuesday he would abide by a deal reached with the mediators, but warned his men would defend themselves if attacked after the army entered the capital.

An emergency meeting of ECOWAS held in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, decided that the leaders of Nigeria, Benin, the Niger Republic, Toga, Ghana and Senegal would travel to Burkina Faso with their military chiefs on Wednesday.

In a statement, ECOWAS said it planned to reinstate and demonstrate solidarity with Kafando, who was kidnapped last Wednesday along with his interim prime minister, Yacouba Isaac Zida. Kafando was released on Friday.

The release of Zida on Tuesday, an apparent olive branch, came hours after army soldiers entered Ouagadougou without resistance.

ECOWAS also called for calm and said an inclusive democratic process was important going forward. Endit