Burkina Faso: EU demands release of President Kaboré

As of: 01/26/2022 4:41 p.m

The EU has condemned the military coup in Burkina Faso and called for the president’s immediate release. Kaboré was arrested by the army on Monday. The Bundeswehr has now put its commitment on the ground on hold.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has demanded the immediate release of President Roch Marc Kaboré from the military in Burkina Faso, along with all other illegal arrestees.

Borrell said constitutional order must be restored or there will be immediate consequences for the partnership with the country. He left open what these could be. The European Union condemned the coup d’état, it said.

The EU foreign policy chief Joseph Borrell

Image: AP

The Burkina Faso army took power in the country on Monday, arrested the president and declared the constitution to be suspended. According to a military spokesman, the main reason for the coup was the deteriorated security situation. The head of the new rulers is 41-year-old Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba.

Bundeswehr stops cooperation

Meanwhile, the Bundeswehr has announced that it will suspend its cooperation with Burkina Faso. There is currently an advisory team from the Bundeswehr on site, but this is no longer active and is waiting for further orders, according to a spokesman for the Ministry of Defence. Plans to send Bundeswehr trainers from Mali to Burkina Faso have also been put on hold.

According to the ministry spokesman, all support services that go directly to the Burkinabe government agency are currently being checked and adjusted accordingly. He condemned the military takeover.

The situation in Burkina Faso also affects our security interests in Europe.

Meanwhile, leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) agreed to discuss the situations in Burkina Faso and Mali at an extraordinary meeting on Friday. This was confirmed by the information minister of the Ivory Coast.

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