After the presidential guard and coup leader Gen. Gilbert Diendere agreed to the deal presented by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Burkina Faso Interim President Michel Kafando (pictured) announced that he is finally “resuming service” a week after a coup was staged, reports the BBC.
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On Tuesday, while Gen. Diendere refused calls by the nation’s army to step down, he did agree that he would be willing to release power if ECOWAS could guarantee amnesty for coup leaders and allow politicians who are loyal to former President Blaise Compaore to run in the upcoming elections.
And while the terms of the accord are yet to be made public, the presidential guard did sign a peace agreement with the army in front of the traditional king of the Mossi ethnic group, Mogho Naba (pictured, Burkinabe’s most-influential leader), and ECOWAS leaders Tuesday night, agreeing to return to their barracks and withdraw from the capital.
By Wednesday, Kafando released the following statement, applauding Burkinabes — as well as the international community — for actively rejecting the coup.
“We are proud of the mobilisation and fearlessness of the people of Burkina Faso, in particular of its youth, whose determination has stopped [the coup succeeding].
“I salute the international community for having rejected unequivocally this action….,” Kafando said.
“Regarding the Ecowas proposals for a solution to the crisis, it is obvious that we will only commit to them if they take into account the will of the Burkinabes.”
Due to clashes between the presidential guard and protesters, at least 10 civilians were killed and more than 100 were wounded since the coup was announced last Wednesday.
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