President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government of Nigeria
unreservedly condemn Wednesday’s detention of the Interim President, the
Prime Minister and other ministers of the transitional government of
Burkina Faso in an apparent coup d’etat.
President Buhari and Nigeria align with ECOWAS, the African Union and the
United Nations in rejecting the brazen contravention of the constitution
and transitional charter of Burkina Faso by elements of the Presidential
Guard under the leadership of General Gilbert Diendere.
President Buhari and Nigeria urge the Defense and Security Forces of
Burkina Faso to keep faith with the agreed transitional programme for the
return of the country to full democratic rule after elections, which were
due to be held in the country on October 11, in support of which Nigeria
has donated 20 pick-up vans to the National Electoral Commission of
Burkina Faso.
While welcoming the news that the Interim President, Mr. Michel Kafando
has now been freed, President Buhari and Nigeria also demand the immediate
release of Prime Minister Isaac Zida and other detained ministers.
Nigeria will give the fullest possible support to ongoing efforts by the
ECOWAS mediatory team of President Macky Sall of Senegal and President
Boni Yayi of Benin Republic to quickly restore Burkina Faso to the path of
order, democracy and constitutionalism.
The President urges the people of Burkina Faso to remain calm and
steadfast in support of the transitional order, elections and democratic
governance with the full assurance that Nigeria, ECOWAS and the
international community will uphold their right to peace, freedom,
democracy and good governance.