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Consultations are still underway within the army. Three days following the coup led by the men of Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the situation is a little clearer. The former president of the transition, Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, has resigned. The risks of clashes within the army seem to be fading. And discussions took place, all day Sunday, at the headquarters of the general staff.
The negotiations took place in two stages. First, it was necessary to avoid a confrontation between the supporters of Captain Traoré and those of Lieutenant-Colonel Damiba. It was the customary and religious leaders who intervened.
In a joint press release published on Sunday followingnoon, they announce the resignation of the former president of the transition. Lieutenant-Colonel Damiba set several conditions for his departure. The continuation of military operations on the ground, the guarantee of the security and the non-prosecution of the soldiers who had joined him, the continuation of the strengthening of cohesion within the security forces, the continuation of reconciliation national government, compliance with the commitments made with ECOWAS – in other words, compliance with the deadlines that should lead to a return to constitutional order –, the pursuit of the reform of the State and, finally, the guarantee of its security and its rights, as well as those of its collaborators.
According to the mediators, all were accepted by Captain Traoré.
This issue settled, consultations continued throughout the day. This time, it is the senior officers who have settled around the table, at the staff. According to a source close to the mediators, the debates concerned, among other things, the reorganization of the army and the roadmap for the transition. The holding of national meetings and the choice of a civilian or military president were notably mentioned.
The popular outbursts of the day before also displeased a certain part of the high military hierarchy. ” Burkina is not that, deplores an observer of the discussions. Even in times of crisis, one must remain dignified. »
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