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.
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.
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.
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If the army refuses, “the consequences are pretty clear”, he said. “We want to avoid having to impose sanctions on Burkina Faso.” There were similar calls from the United States and European Union.
