Burkina Faso junta names leader as country's new president

By Aurore Bonny

DOUALA, Cameroon (AA) - The military junta that overthrew the government in Burkina Faso earlier this month has adopted a "fundamental act," naming its leader as the country's new president until the establishment of a transitional charter, military source said on Monday.​​​​​​​

A member of the junta, which calls itself the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration (MPSR), read on national TV that according to the act, a president, two vice presidents, and a coordinator would be appointed, vowing to ensure the continuity of the state and its affairs until transitional bodies can be formed.

Under the act, the president will be Ltn. Col. Paul-Henri Damiba, who the putschists said would serve as head of state, supreme chief of the National Armed Forces, guarantor of judiciary and national independence.

Damiba will also guarantee the country's territorial integrity, the state's continuity, and its compliance with international treaties. He will have regulatory power and will accredit ambassadors to foreign nations.

The movement said it had also dismissed the current Chief of Staff and replaced him with his deputy.

Damiba led a coup last Monday, toppling the democratically elected President Roch Marc Christian Kabore, who was serving a second term in the West African country.

For the new leader, the main priority "remains security," he said in a recent address to the nation.

Burkina Faso has been sanctioned by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) for the military takeover.

The international community and several African leaders have condemned the coup and called for a return to constitutional order.