African Union suspends Burkina Faso from organization

The African Union has suspended Burkina Faso over Thursday's military coup. The AU said sanctions would be imposed if members of the presidential guard, who staged the coup do not release members of the interim government which includes the interim president, Michel Kafondo. 

The presidents of Benin and Senegal are in the city for talks with the coup leader. Meanwhile Pres. Buhari has condemned the coup in Burkina Faso. Below is a press statement from the presidency..

President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government of Nigeria unreservedly condemn Wednesday's detention of the Interim President, the Prime Minister and other ministers of the transitional government of Burkina Faso in an apparent coup d'etat.

President Buhari and Nigeria align with ECOWAS, the African Union and the United Nations in rejecting the brazen contravention of the constitution and transitional charter of Burkina Faso by elements of the Presidential Guard under the leadership of General Gilbert Diendere.

President Buhari and Nigeria urge the Defense and Security Forces of Burkina Faso to keep faith with the agreed transitional programme for the return of the country to full democratic rule after elections, which were due to be held in the country on October 11, in support of which Nigeria has donated 20 pick-up vans to the National Electoral Commission of Burkina Faso.

While welcoming the news that the Interim President, Mr. Michel Kafando has now been freed, President Buhari and Nigeria also demand the immediate release of Prime Minister Isaac Zida and other detained ministers.

Nigeria will give the fullest possible support to ongoing efforts by the ECOWAS mediatory team of President Macky Sall of Senegal and President Boni Yayi of Benin Republic to quickly restore Burkina Faso to the path of order, democracy and constitutionalism.

The President urges the people of Burkina Faso to remain calm and steadfast in support of the transitional order, elections and democratic governance with the full assurance that Nigeria, ECOWAS and the international community will uphold their right to peace, freedom, democracy and good governance.

Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
September 18, 2015