Lieutenant-Colonel Isaac Zida, Burkina Faso's interim leader, attends a
meeting with opposition leaders in Ouagadougou on November 2, 2014. AFP
PHOTO | ISSOUF SANOGO
OUAGADOUGOU
Burkina Faso's
military vowed to install a unity government after tightening its
control over the West African nation, firing tear gas and shots in the
air to disperse protesters denouncing an army power grab.
Troops
moved into Place de la Nation in the capital Ouagadougou and took over
the national television headquarters in a show of force, despite calls
by the international community and protesters for a return to civilian
rule.
Threatened with economic sanctions, the military pledged to put in place a transition government formed by "broad consensus".
The
army has stepped into the power vacuum left by president Blaise
Compaore, who was forced to resign in the wake of violent street
demonstrations over his 27-year-rule that some have likened to the Arab
Spring.
Lieutenant-Colonel Isaac Zida (left), named as
interim leader of Burkina Faso by the Army, speaks with opposition
leader Zephirin Diabre at the end of a meeting between the army and
opposition leaders in Ouagadougou on November 2, 2014. AFP PHOTO |
ISSOUF SANOGO
But the military said it was acting only with the interests of the nation at heart and that "power does not interest us".
"What
is currently at stake is more than self interest," it said in a
statement issued after Isaac Zida — the man it named as interim chief —
met opposition leaders.
UN envoy for West Africa
Mohamed Ibn Chambas said he had joined African leaders in pressing the
country's military top brass to hand power back to civilians.
If
the army refuses, "the consequences are pretty clear", he said. "We
want to avoid having to impose sanctions on Burkina Faso," he added.
There were similar calls from the United States and European Union.
There were similar calls from the United States and European Union.
Hundreds
of thousands of protesters, furious at plans to extend Compaore's rule
in the impoverished landlocked country, had massed on the streets of
Ouagadougou on Thursday, some going on a rampage and setting the
parliament and other public buildings ablaze.
Under
Burkina Faso's constitution, the speaker of parliament was supposed to
step in as interim head of state following the president's resignation.
But the army instead named Zida, the second-in-command of the presidential guard, as head of the transitional authority.
Zida,
49, beat out an earlier claim to the job by army chief Nabere Honore
Traore, winning the military's endorsement on Saturday.
He
said he was appointed to ensure a "smooth democratic transition" and
promised to consult with the political opposition and civil leaders.
The
army reiterated that stance after Zida met opposition leaders, who,
along with civil society leaders, had called Sunday's rally in protest
at a military takeover.
A man holds up a placard that reads in French,
"Zida get out", referring to Isaac Zida, a high-ranking officer named by
the military to lead the country's transition, during a protest at the
Place de la Nation in Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou on November 2,
2014 to call for the departure of the military. AFP PHOTO | ISSOUF
SANOGO
Several thousand
people answered the call, carrying banners bearing the slogans: "The
soldiers have stolen our revolution", "Zida get out!" and "Zida is
Judas."
Some protesters also headed to the national
television headquarters where two opposition leaders made separate
attempts to go on air to declare themselves interim chief.
Former
defence minister Kouame Lougue — whose name was chanted by thousands in
the streets following Compaore's downfall — told AFP: "The people have
nominated me. I came to answer their call."
But the
technicians walked out, interrupting transmission, also foiling a bid by
Saran Sereme, a former member of the ruling party, to make her claim as
leader of the transition.
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