The Economic community of West African States (ECOWAS) has suspended Burkina Faso in the aftermath of a military coup, making it the third member nation to be punished for a military takeover in only 18 months.
The West Africa's main regional bloc made the announcement on Friday January 28, days after mutinous soldiers forced democratically elected President Roch Marc Christian Kabore to resign.
The soldiers also went on state television to announce a military takeover of the country, which they said was under siege from armed groups.
The military rulers said Kabore failed to stem the violence that has killed thousands during his time in power.
A delegation of ECOWAS defence chiefs will travel to Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou on Saturday January 29, followed by a ministerial mission a few days later, the statement said. Heads of ECOWAS member states will reconvene for another summit in Ghana's capital Accra on Feb. 3 to discuss the findings of the two delegations.
ECOWAS and its international allies have condemned the coup in Burkina Faso, which they fear could further destabilise a country beset by Islamist violence, but find themselves with limited leverage.
The West African leaders met virtually yesterday to discuss the Burkina Faso coup, and a delegation was expected to travel to the Burkinabe capital, Ouagadougou, in the coming days.
Ghanaian president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the current ECOWAS chairman, described the recent spate of coups in West Africa as “a direct violation of our democratic tenets. “The rest of the world is looking up to us to be firm on this matter,” he said.
The bloc could still choose to sanction Burkina Faso when members reconvene next week.
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In as much as i don't subscribe to coup detat, question is, what is it that the presidents of those countries were doing to warrant the military taking over. Again how come the very people who voted these presidents into power are the same people pouring out of the streets to support the coup makers. Ecowas heads of state must investigate and find answers to these questions. Fact is when people repose confidence in a leader based on what he said he will do when given power only to close his eyes to the plight of the people this is what happens. The times have changed and African presidents must change to if not change will change them, not necessarily the ballot box. I strongly believe apart from Rwanda if what is happening in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso were to happen in any other African country, the masses will pour into the streets in support for. The masses are beginning to realize that people are eager to govern not because of the general welfare of the people but for family, a few friends, cronies and school mates. If you really care about the people who voted for you to win power, when you are doing something and they say they don't want it, stop it. If you say no, they will stop you by force as being witnessed in the 3 countries. You don't suspend others when you are also a potential candidate for suspension if they were to use the same yardstick to measure you