Secretary-General, Condemning Coup d’Etat in Burkina Faso, Urges Officials’ Immediate Release, End to Violence

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest terms the coup d’état in Burkina Faso.  He reiterates that all Burkinabé officials under detention must be released immediately and demands the resumption of the country’s political transition, in accordance with Burkina Faso’s Constitution and Transitional Charter.

The Secretary-General deplores the violence reported in the country and calls on the Burkinabé defence and security forces to exercise restraint and ensure respect for the human rights and security of all Burkinabé citizens.  Those responsible for the coup d’état and its consequences must be held accountable.

The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for West Africa, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, remains in Ouagadougou and continues to work closely with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union and other international partners to support and safeguard the transition in Burkina Faso.