Security Council Press Statement on Burkina Faso

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Vitaly I. Churkin (Russian Federation):

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms today’s forceful detention of the President Michel Kafando and Prime Minister Isaac Zida of Burkina Faso, as well as a number of Ministers, and demanded that they be released safely and immediately. The members of the Security Council stressed that their detention by elements of the Régiment de sécurité présidentielle is a flagrant violation of the Constitution and the Transitional Charter of Burkina Faso.  The members of the Security Council urged all actors in Burkina Faso to refrain from any violence.

The members of the Security Council expressed their strong support to the transitional authorities of Burkina Faso and urged all actors to comply with the transitional calendar, notably the holding of free, fair and credible elections, scheduled for 11 October 2015.  They urged all actors to respect the legitimate aspiration of the people of Burkina Faso for a peaceful transition.

The members of the Security Council expressed their strong support for the efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, as well those of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union and other international partners to support the transition in Burkina Faso.