Burkina Faso’s military backed a presidential guard officer on Saturday to lead a transitional government after the resignation of President Blaise Compaore, resolving a power struggle within the armed forces by sidelining the chief of staff.
Senior military officials had held talks on Saturday aimed at averting bloodshed after Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Zida declared himself head of state in an early morning radio address, overruling military chief General Honore Traore’s claim to lead the transitional government.
One of Africa’s long-serving rulers, Compaore stepped down on Friday after two days of mass protests against his attempts to change the constitution to extend his 27 years in power. At least three people were killed after protesters stormed the parliament building and set it on fire.
The unfolding crisis in the poor, landlocked nation is being closely watched by the United States and former colonial power France, which were close military allies of Compaore.
Under his rule, Burkina Faso became a key ally in Western operations against al Qaeda-linked groups in West Africa, but a coup d’etat would freeze U.S. military cooperation.
“Lieutenant Colonel Yacouba Isaac Zida has been elected unanimously to lead the transition period opened after the departure of President Blaise Compaore,” read a statement issued by the military hierarchy after the talks.
The form and duration of the transition will be decided in talks with all sections of society, the statement said.
The Union for Progress and Change (UPC), the main opposition party, immediately called for the army to open discussions with civil society and political groups on the roadmap to elections.
Troops loyal to Zida patrolled the quiet streets of the capital Ouagadougou on Saturday following his radio announcement that he was taking over as head of state to avoid a descent into anarchy and to ensure a swift democratic transition.
“This is not a coup d’etat but a popular uprising,” Zida said, dressed in military fatigues, in the studio of BF1 television. “I salute the memory of the martyrs of this uprising and bow to the sacrifices made by our people.”
Heavy gunfire had been reported near the presidential palace just before Zida spoke, but a military source said this was a localized incident.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said in a statement on Friday, before Zida took power, that the United States was concerned by events in Burkina Faso. She appealed to all parties to avoid violence and to follow constitutional rules for a transfer of power via elections.
The events in Burkina Faso will also be carefully followed by other governments in West and Central Africa, where long-serving leaders are reaching the end of their constitutional terms in several countries, including Benin, Congo Republic and Democratic Republic of Congo.
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