Burkina Faso: Coup Leader Addresses Nation In First Speech Since Takeover

Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Damiba

The military announced that it had seized power on state television on Monday…

EKO HOT BLOG reports that new military leader of Burkina Faso has promised a return to the normal constitutional order “when the conditions are right”.

Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Damiba led a mutiny that ousted President Roch Kaboré on Monday.

He blamed the president for failing to contain violence by Islamist militants.

Wearing a red beret and army fatigues, Lt-Col Damiba on Thursday addressed the nation for the first time on national television since taking power.

“When the conditions are right, according to the deadline that our people will define in all sovereignty, I commit to a return to a normal constitutional order,” he said.

Lt-Col Damiba, 41, said he will meet representatives of various sections of society to agree on a roadmap for reform.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Crowd Celebrates Military Takeover In Burkina Faso

He added that Burkina Faso needs international partners “more than ever”, following condemnation of the coup.

“I call on the international community to support our country so it can exit this crisis as soon as possible.”

Click to watch our video of the week

Yinka Akanbi

Yinka is an aesthete and a cosmopolite.