By John Ikani
A panel appointed by Burkina Faso’s military coup leaders to draft a transition to democracy has reportedly recommended a 30-month delay until elections.
During this period, Burkina Faso will “continue to be led by the officer who seized power last month, Col Paul-Henri Damiba.”
The report was submitted on Wednesday by Panel Chairman Mariam Ouattara to coup leader Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba at a ceremony in the capital, Ouagadougou.
The 15-person panel, which includes military officers and technocrats, was established two weeks ago by Damiba, who removed President Roch Kabore on January 24. It was tasked with setting the framework for a political transition and a return to a new constitutional order.
The commission also recommended the establishment of a small government and legislative body – with a maximum of 20 and 50 members respectively.
The recommendation reflects the military’s intention to rule for approximately two years before organising elections.
In January, Burkina Faso became the third nation in West Africa after Mali and Guinea to suffer a military takeover in less than 18 months.
Burkina Faso been “suspended by the regional bloc, ECOWAS, which has called the junta to establish a reasonable timetable for returning to constitutional order.”
