Akufo-Addo to lead emergency ECOWAS virtual summit to discuss Burkina Faso coup
The coup situation in Burkina Faso has necessitated an Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) emergency meeting to be led by President Akufo-Addo to deliberate on the latest adding to the litany of coups in the sub-region.
Burkina Faso President Roch Kabore tendered in his resignation after he was arrested following a mutiny in that military that resulted in the exchange of fire around the Presidential Palace. The military later announced that they have seized power and had detained the President at a safe place with regard to his health and dignity.
Mr. Kaboré became president after the former president Blaise Compaoré was overthrown by a popular uprising in 2014 which caused him to flee to the Ivory Coast.
Currently, Mr. Compaoré is being tried in absentia for the assassination of the former revolutionary leader Thomas Sankara.
What necessitated the soldiers’ action include the government’s lack of commitment to fighting Islamist Militants and general economic hardship.
Burkina Faso has been battling with a jihadist insurgency, which spread from neighbouring Mali, since 2015
The situation has unfortunately left thousands dead and about 1.5 million people internally displaced.
After past coups in other West African counties, the regional body has reacted with sanctions.
As it stands now, ECOWAS is dealing with similar situations in Guinea and Mali where there have also been coups.
President Akufo-Addo is expected to rally colleague heads of state in the sub-region to roll out sanctions against the coup leaders in Burkina Faso.
By: Stella Annan | myactiveonline.com Twitter @activetvgh
