Civilian to head one-year transition in Burkina Faso

Three West African presidents brokered an agreement on a one-year political transition in Burkina Faso leading up to elections in November 2015, local media reported on Thursday.

According to the agreement, the military would hand power over to an eminent civilian personality to lead the transition.

The reports said political parties and civil society groups would be able to propose candidates for the post.

Senegal’s President Macky Sall, Nigeria’s Goodluck Jonathan and Ghana’s John Mahama arrived on Wednesday in Ouagadougou.

It said that they met new military leader, Isaac Zida, diplomats, representatives of political parties and civil society as well as religious and traditional leaders.

Zida took power after Blaise Compaore resigned on Friday, following massive demonstrations demanding an end to his 27-year rule.

“Burkina Faso should overcome the pain as quickly as possible, so that all parts of society can participate in decisions making it possible to create a stable democracy,” Mahama said. (dpa/NAN)