Burkina Faso leaders agree power transition plan

Lt Col Zida

Burkina Faso's political parties have agreed that the
country's political transition should last a year,
followed by elections in November 2015.
But the crisis talks in the capital Ouagadougou
ended without a deal on who would head a
transitional government.
The military has been in charge since President
Blaise Compaore was forced to quit last week amid
mass protests.
The African Union (AU) on Monday gave the military
two weeks to hand power to a civilian ruler or face
sanctions.
Lt Col Isaac Zida - the interim leader backed by the
army - later promised to comply with the deadline.
He was previously second in command of the
presidential guard.
'Chaos'
Wednesday's crisis talks in Ouagadougou were
also attended by civil society groups and tribal
chiefs, according to a statement issued after the
meeting.
The presidents of Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal
mediated the talks.

The statement added that all parties in the
negotiations wanted an "eminent civilian
personality" to head the transition, without
providing further details.
At one stage, the meeting descended into chaos as
opposition politicians stormed out.
"We do not want to talk with the old governing
party. They represent Blaise Compaore," Rose-
Marie Compaore, parliamentary leader of the main
opposition group, was quoted as saying by the AFP
news agency.
But the opposition was later persuaded to return to
the negotiating table.
'Welcome to stay'
The AU sanctions could include suspension of
Burkina Faso's AU membership and a travel ban on
military officials. The AU's Peace and Security
Council is expected to meet again later this month
to discuss the crisis.
Under Burkina Faso's constitution, the head of the
National Assembly should take office if the
president resigns.
Mr Compaore first seized power in a coup in 1987,
and thereafter won four disputed elections.
The protests were triggered by his plan to amend
the constitution so that he could run for office again
in elections next year.
Mr Compaore was forced to flee to neighbouring
Ivory Coast and is currently staying in the capital
Yamoussoukro.
France - the former colonial power - has admitted
helping in the evacuation of Mr Compaore.
Ivorian leader Alassane Ouattara has said Mr
Compaore is welcome to stay as he helped bring
peace to Ivory Coast during unrest following
elections in 2010.

Source: BBC