Brussels, 18/09/2015 (Agence Europe) - The EU strongly condemns the military coup d'état in Burkina Faso by General Gilbert Diendéré less than a month before the elections, and during the evening of Friday 18 September, the EU announced it was reserving the possibility of targeted sanctions against those behind the coup.
“The coup d'état that has occurred in Burkina Faso is an unacceptable attack on the ongoing process of transition. Power must be returned immediately and unconditionally to the civil authorities in order to ensure the return to political transition, in accordance with the Constitution of Burkina Faso and the Charter of Transition”, said High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini. “No delay in the transition process leading to the elections scheduled on 11 October can be considered”, she added in a press release, calling for the respect of “the legitimate democratic aspirations of the people of Burkina Faso”.
“The European Union reserves the possibility of studying the potential measures, including against the authors of the coup d'état”, Mogherini states. The EU reiterates its call for the immediate release of President Michel Kafando, Prime Minister Yacouba Isaac Zida and some members of his government, who are still being detained by force. The EU continues to work with the international community and African partners (ECOWAS and the AU) to “ensure a strong and coordinated response and to bring peace, stability and security to the country”. (Aminata Niang)