ECOWAS "very concerned" about duration of transition in Burkina Faso

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said Friday it was "very concerned" by the three-year period proposed by the new authorities, following the 24 January coup in Burkina Faso, an official source said.

A final communiqué of the extraordinary summit held Friday in Accra, Ghana, said ECOWAS "remains very concerned about the duration of the transition period (36 months), which is considered too long.

On the security front, the sub-regional organization "notes that the transitional authorities are struggling to improve the security situation in the country and to find solutions to the humanitarian situation.

ECOWAS said it was "deeply concerned by the continued detention of former president Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, since the coup, despite several calls for his unconditional release".

It demanded the release of Mr. Kaboré, as well as a precise timetable for the holding of elections. To this end, ECOWAS "decides to maintain the suspension of Burkina Faso from all its bodies until constitutional order is restored".

Since his overthrow, Mr. Kaboré has been under house arrest and is considered a prisoner by those close to him who are calling on the junta to release him unconditionally.

-0- PANA NTDD/JSG/SOC/BBA/RA 26March2022