ABIDJAN – Burkina Faso’s Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Nabere Traore on Friday announced that he has assumed responsibility as the country’s Head of State.
Traore, who made announcement in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday, said the decision followed Blaise Compaore’s resignation and subsequent exit from the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the army in Burkina Faso on Thursday announced seizure of power and dissolution of the Compaore-led government.
It would also be recalled that the army’s decision followed days of protest arising from planned amendment of Article 37 of the country’s constitution.
The protesters feared that the planned amendment of the constitution was to pave the way for Compaore to stay in office beyond 2015.
NAN recalls that Burkina Faso’s local media reported that Compaore had left the country after a government statement announced his acceptance of the power seizure.
Meanwhile, Nabere has said that the army’s decision was to save the country from collapse following the public protest that trailed government’s planned amendment.
“Recognising the power vacuum thus created, considering the urgent need to save the life of the nation, I will from today assume responsibility as Head of State.
“In accordance with the constitution, there is need to proceed without delay to consult with stakeholders toward returning the nation to constitutional democracy,’’ the statement read in parts.
The statement further quoted Nabere as calling on the citizenry to be law abiding and committed to the course of returning the country to democratic rule.
“The military will take necessary steps to ensure the safety of people and goods throughout the territory,” he said.
NAN recalls that Compaore, who has already spent 27 years in office, was billed to vacate in 2015 after a presidential election.
Compaore came into power in a 1987 coup that killed the then president, Thomas Sankara. (NAN)
