Two confidants of Burkina Faso's ex-president barred from leaving country

Two confidants of Burkina Faso's ex-president Blaise Compaore were last weekend barred from boarding a plane to Cote d'Ivoire where the former president has been living since he was deposed in 2014, a source from the former president's party said Monday.

The two included the interim leader of ex-president's party, Congress for Democracy and Progress (CDP) Achille Tapsoba and the party's treasurer Zambende Theodore.

The source said it was a special team of airport police who ordered the two to disembark from the plane as it was preparing to fly to Abidjan.

"I was never subject to any legal proceedings. I do not understand why I was prevented from travelling freely," CDP's interim president said, denouncing "the violation of liberties and freedoms contained in international treaties that Burkina Faso has ratified."

After the fall of Compaore's regime following street protests in October 2014, the former president fled to neighbouring Cote d'Ivoire, a country which also gave him nationality.

Several of his close confidants were arrested, but in the last few weeks, some of them have been released on bond.

On Thursday last week, some people protested in front of Ouagadougou court against the decision by the judiciary to release some of Compaore's confidants.

However, Burkina Faso's Justice Minister Rene Bagoro said those who were released on bond had presented medical certificates.

"Although there are procedures to detain someone, there is also a possibility, at any time, for anyone to seek to be released on bond," the minister said. Endit