MOSCOW, November 9 (RIA Novosti) — Talks of Burkina Faso’s transition to democracy have continued into their second day Sunday between representatives of political parties, civil activists and even the army, albeit briefly, visiting the convention.
Ouagadougou hosts multilateral negotiations between representatives of Burkinabe political parties and leaders of civil society, who gathered to outline a plan for the nation’s democratization. The talks started yesterday, and the military had at first refused to join, as Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Zida is already leading what he claims to be an interim government. Former president Compaore, who is currently outside the country, has meanwhile accused the army and his political rivals of plotting a coup that led to his ousting, according to AFP.
The ex-president’s 27-year rule ended after recent mass protests, and he was forced to flee Burkina Faso last week. The power vacuum was filled by the army, which has established itself as an interim political force. However, civil activists expressed concerns that the situation may end with the military usurping the political domain.
About 60 representatives of the nation’s political and civic movements are amidst developing a power transition plan, with a military delegation also having briefly attended the talks. During their visit to the conference, military representative Colonel August Denise Barry said the army is not going to usurp the reins of power, adding that "things can no longer be like before", referring to the nation’s history of authoritarian rule and military coups.
The conference is allegedly working out the conditions under which the military, presently holding power, could sign a joint declaration, as reported by India’s ZeeNews.
Zida insisted that members of the ousted president Compaore’s political party be allowed to participate in the negotiation, which the other parties firmly opposed. "For the purpose of reconciliation and reconstruction, one cannot exclude a party of the people," the military leader said.
The Burkinabe army’s sudden assumption of political power has drawn harsh international reaction from the African union, which has even threatened to implement economic sanctions in case the reins of power are not handed over to a civilian-led government within a fortnight. The US has also expressed concern over the looming military rule in Burkina Faso.
"We`re counting on respect for the (army`s) promise to put in place a democratic transition government which is led by a civilian," said Bisa Williams, US Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs. Washington, along with Paris, is the principal ally and donor to the impoverished landlocked West-African nation.
The participants of the transition conference are planning to finalize a draft proposal today.
The economic situation in the country had deteriorated in 2013, when global prices on gold and cotton, the two main sources of Burkina Faso’s national income, sharply fell. The mass protests that led to Compaore’s ousting started in Burkina Faso on October 28 when he had announced his intention to amend the Constitution in order to extend his rule beyond 2015.
