Just a week after seizing power through a coup, the military government of Burkina Faso has announced that it is restoring the constitution and appointing its leader as the new head of state. The military announced that coup leader Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba would be the country's president during its transition period.
The announcement made by the military government, which is calling itself the Patriotic Movement for Preservation and Restoration (MPSR), came just after the African Union and the United Nations pressed officials to return the country to civilian rule. The MPSR said it approved the lifting of the suspension of the constitution on Monday.
The MPSR said under its approved "fundamental act," all civil liberties such as the freedom of speech and freedom of movement will be restored. It added it would guarantee the independence of the judiciary system.
Military officials said that Damiba will be acting as the head of state, supreme leader of the armed forces, and the president of Burkina Faso while they work to to establish "transitional bodies." Officials did not give a timeline for the transition period. They also didn't provide the names of those who will be taking over the other government positions.
Hours before the announcement, the African Union's Peace and Security Council said that it has temporarily suspended Burkina Faso's members, stating that it will be excluded from all union activities until it restores power to civilian rule.
Last week, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) also announced that it was suspending Burkina Faso's membership. ECOWAS said that it is also planning to impose sanctions pending the outcome of its meeting with the country's military officials.
ECOWAS said despite the suspension; the bloc will not be severing ties with Burkina Faso. Ghanaian Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchway said the bloc would not leave Burkina Faso on its own as it struggles with the coup and the ongoing terrorist attacks in the region.
Botchway had led a delegation that visited Burkina Faso. Botchway said they had visited the nation's ousted president, Roch Marc Christian Kabore, who is being held by the military under house arrest. Kabore is reportedly in good health and "good spirits."
Over the weekend, ECOWAS sent military chiefs to talk with Damiba. The bloc said it would hold a meeting later this week to assess the situation in Burkina Faso and if they should impose sanctions against the country
Burkina Faso's military rose up and took over the country on Jan. 24, arresting Kabore amid public anger at the government's failure to address terrorist and armed group attacks against the public.
