NWe call on the military to immediately release the president and other senior officials who have been arrested”, said Ravina Shamdasani, a spokeswoman for the High Commissioner, at a regular UN press briefing in Geneva.
Michelle Bachelet, High Commissioner for Human Rights, “deeply deplores the takeover by the military”, underlined the spokesperson, especially since she had visited Burkina Faso in November 2021 and had welcomed the peaceful holding of legislative and presidential elections in 2020. “We call for a rapid return to constitutional order”, added the spokesperson.
“In view of the immense security threats and humanitarian challenges facing the country, it is more important than ever to ensure that the law, the constitutional order and the country’s obligations in terms of humanitarian law are fully respected”, said Ravina Shamdasani, adding that the office would continue to monitor the situation on the spot.
On Monday afternoon, about fifteen soldiers appeared on national television to announce “put an end to power” of Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, president since 2015. This coup ended three days of anti-Kaboré demonstrations and mutinies in several barracks in the country.
Power is now in the hands of the Patriotic Movement for Safeguarding and Restoration (MPSR) and its strongman, Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, commander of the 3rd military region which notably covers the eastern zone, one of the most affected by jihadist attacks.