In Burkina, the storm. EU calls for calm
(BRUSSELS2) After the heavy violence that marked the day in Ouagadougou and throughout the country, killing around thirty people according to the opposition, the European Union reacted on Thursday evening (October 30), through the door- word of Catherine Ashton, stating " follow current events very closely ».
The EU says to itself very concerned (*) by the current situation and reports of casualties following the violent protests ».
The European Union ready to facilitate dialogue
And the European Union to launch an appeal for calm, and for the armed forces to respect civilian institutions.
« Now that the bill on the revision of the Constitution has been withdrawn, we call for the sense of responsibility of all political forces, the army and republican institutions as well as the people of Burkina Faso to build together a new future for the country in a peaceful manner and with respect for democratic principles and the Constitution. »
Europe has shown a willingness to do more.
“The European Union is ready to intervene to facilitate this process. »
A coup
This position took place just when the Chief of Staff of the Burkinabe army declared to suspend the democratic structures (dissolution of the assembly) and to establish transitional structures promising a return to constitutional order. within 12 months. What looks like a real "coup d'etat". However, the situation is quite confused in Ouagadougou. The successive declarations of President Compaoré as armies being contradictory, in particular on the establishment of the state of siege. But if this situation were to continue, the European Union could initiate the procedure for suspending cooperation agreements (ACP), provided for in the event of democratic failure and a military coup.
It missed only this
In a sub-Saharan Africa, of the Sahel, prompt to all movements, Burkina Faso has so far represented a certain island of stability. Mali is still struggling with a rebel guerrilla, in the north of the country, at the confluence of Tuareg and transnational jihadist autonomist movements, the latest incidents where a French soldier died have proven this (Read: Violent clash between the Barkhane force and jihadists in northern Mali. 1 soldier killed). Niger is recovering. Southern Libya is an area out of control. The presence of Boko Haram in northern Nigeria is not really controlled and is spilling over into northern Cameroon. A little further east, the Central African Republic is still in an unstable state, and so on. Brief. The street revolt followed by an army takeover in Ouagadougou came at a bad time.
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
(*) Which constitutes level 2 on the scale of European concern
(Update 31.10 12h) Clarifications given by the Commission on the respect of republican institutions by the army (which did not appear in the first version of the European reaction given Thursday evening)
