UN tells Burkina Faso coup leaders to surrender
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday strongly condemned the takeover of government by Burkina Faso soldiers, telling the coup plotters to lay down their weapons.
His call followed Sunday’s coup in the landlocked West African nation by sections of her armed forces.
Mr Guterres, in a statement issued by his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, called on the coup leaders to lay down their weapons.
The secretary-general said he was following developments in the country with deep concern.
He also called on the coup leaders to protect the physical integrity of President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré and the institutions of Burkina Faso.
Mr Guterres said he was particularly worried about the whereabouts and safety of the president, who had not been seen since the crisis began early Sunday.
The UN chief expressed concern over the worsening security situation in the country’s capital, Ouagadougou.
Reports said the military announced on Monday it had seized power and overthrown the president.
The announcement was made on state television by an army officer who cited the deteriorating security situation in the country for the military takeover.
According to news reports, civilians and military elements have voiced growing criticism for months over the ģovernment’s inability to tackle the growing Islamist insurgency that has destabilised much of the country.
Mr Guterres reiterated the UN’s full commitment to preserving constitutional order in Burkina Faso.
The secretary-general reaffirmed the organisation’s support to the people to find solutions to the multifaceted challenges facing the country.
In May 2021, a military coup was staged in Mali, and a wave of other coup attempts and takeovers have occurred across West Africa and the Sahel, including in Chad, Sudan and Guinea.
Earlier in the month, the UN special representative for West Africa and the Sahel told the Security Council the resurgence “is often the consequence of political practices that are completely out of step with the aspirations of the populations.”
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Makinde blames FG, NYSC as Oyo corps members lament delayed October allowance
The corps members lamented the delay, stating that the non-payment caused inconvenience and financial difficulties.
Anti-Corruption
NDIC vows to block diversion of liquidated banks’ recovered assets, funds
NDIC says there is zero tolerance for diverting funds realised from the sale or recovery of failed banks’ assets.
Health
Suspected Ebola cases negative as Adamawa establishes 18 border screening points
Adamawa government established 18 screening points across nine local government areas bordering Cameroon.
Africa
NTAC DG tasks volunteers on greater impact in Sierra Leone
Mr Yakub said the corps has deployed over 1,500 volunteers to African countries, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP) over time.
NationWide
FG targets 20,000MW power generation, promises stable electricity within five years
Mr Tegbe said the government was pursuing a long-term strategy to expand generation capacity.
Politics
Tinubu governing as statesman, not politician, to fix Nigeria’s problems: Gbajabiamila
Mr Gbajabiamila said the Tinubu administration’s overarching goal is to build an ecosystem where honest labour guarantees a decent livelihood.
