Burkina Faso commission submits draft transition charter to junta leader

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) – Burkina Faso’s technical commission tasked with drafting a charter and a roadmap for the transitional period on Wednesday handed over its report to junta leader Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Damiba.

Chaired by Mariame Ouattara, the commission was tasked with setting the framework for the political transition revolving around the restoration of territorial integrity, peace building for the return of internally displaced persons, good governance and the return to a new constitutional order.

Damiba, who led the coup that ousted President Roch Kabore on Jan. 24, appointed the commission two weeks ago.

Details of the report were not immediately disclosed, but sources privy to the report said the commission has recommended a 30-month transitional period to elections.

This move, if put into effect, would be in line with the junta's wish to rule for around two years in order to stabilize the country before organizing elections, according to the sources.

The commission also reportedly proposed a transitional government in the West African country of up to 20 ministers and a transitional parliament of 51 members.

Damiba, who received the report from the commission at a ceremony in the capital Ouagadougou, thanked the members for respecting the time frame.

Ouattara said the commission received varied proposals when it called for contributions of ideas.

She also indicated that the report was the result of the consensus of all the commission members.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which suspended Burkina Faso from its governing bodies following the coup, has asked the military authorities to rapidly propose a timetable for the restoration of constitutional order.