Burkina Faso: ECOWAS, AU, UN Condemn ‘Unconstitutional’ Change Of Government

The African Union Chief Moussa Faki Mahamat has condemned the “unconstitutional change of government” in Burkina Faso.

This is after the second coup in less than a year in which a group of junior army officers removed military ruler Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba.

The AU said in a statement on Saturday; “The chairperson calls upon the military to immediately and totally refrain from any acts of violence or threats to the civilian population, civil liberties, human rights.”

Earlier, the regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) reaffirmed its “unequivocal opposition” to the coup.

ECOWAS said the coup came at an “inopportune” time when progress was being made towards a return to constitutional order.

“ECOWAS reaffirms its unequivocal opposition to any seizure or maintenance of power by unconstitutional means.”

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric also said; “Burkina Faso needs peace, it needs stability, and it needs unity in order to fight terrorist groups and criminal networks operating in parts of the country.”