Mediators say they have brokered a draft deal to end the crisis in Burkina Faso. It is to be submitted to regional leaders on Tuesday (September 22)
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Mediators say they have brokered a draft deal to end the crisis in Burkina Faso.
It is to be submitted to regional leaders on Tuesday (September 22).
However, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which is seeking to peacefully reverse last week’s military coup, has yet to secure the restoration of civilian rule in the country.
The takeover was led by army General Gilbert Diendéré, once the right-hand man of former president Blaise Compaoré. Dissidents had expressed anger that Compaoré‘s supporters have been blocked from standing in an election planned for October, 2015.
What is being proposed?
Under the mediators’ draft proposal, the ex-president’s allies would be allowed to campaign and the election would be pushed back to November.
Diendéré and his presidential guard would be given an amnesty for acts committed during the military takeover in return for handing back power to the civilian transitional authority.
Key members of the interim government, including its President Michel Kafando, were abducted at the start of the coup.
Protests
Reaction among civilians has been mixed, with both pro- and anti-junta protests taking place in the capital Ouagadougou.
Over the weekend, the hotel being used to host negotiations was attacked by pro-coup demonstrators and soldiers from the elite presidential guard.