West African mediator meets military junta in Burkina Faso

Jul 2, 2022 22:54

The West African mediator for Burkina Faso met, today, Saturday, in the capital, Ouagadougou, with the head of the junta, Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba.
Former Nigerian President Mohamed Issoufou praised the “openness to dialogue” by the junta that took power in January after the ouster of former President Roch Marc Christian Kabore.
The meeting took place on the eve of the summit of the leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which will decide whether to impose new sanctions on the country or not. Damiba and his government, as well as their openness to dialogue.”
After arriving Friday on his second visit to Burkina Faso in less than a month, Issoufou also met the Prime Minister and the Ministers of Defense, Security and Foreign Affairs, as well as representatives of political parties and youth.
“During all these meetings, I listened to the analyzes provided by individuals about the difficult situation that Burkina Faso is going through,” Issoufou said.
He pointed out that “everyone agrees on the need for a union to combat terrorism and the necessity of national reconciliation and comprehensive dialogue at all levels” and “a return to the democratic system.”
He added that he discussed with the head of the military council, “the case of former President Roch Marc Christian Kabore,” explaining that he will present a report on his visits to Burkina Faso at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) summit scheduled to be held tomorrow, Sunday, in Accra, Ghana.

Source: AFP