ECOWAS DUE TO DISCUSS RESPONSE TO BURKINA FASO COUP

West African leaders are due to confer to discuss how to respond to a coup in conflict-hit Burkina Faso earlier this week, the latest in a wave of military power grabs in the region that has prompted fears of further instability. The 15-member Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, regional bloc had suspended and imposed sanctions on Burkina Faso’s neighbours Mali and Guinea following coups in August 2020 and September 2021, respectively.

Its extraordinary virtual meeting today comes hours after Burkina Faso’s new military ruler called for international support in his first address to the nation since he led the overthrow of democratically elected President Roch Kabore on Monday. Similarly, on Tuesday, ECOWAS issued a statement to say the bloc firmly condemns the coup, accusing the military of forcing Kabore to resign under threat, intimidation and pressure. Kabore, 64, remains in detention, with the United Nations leading calls for his release.

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