Foreign Minister Steinmeier today (17 September) issued the following statement in Berlin on the latest news from Ouagadougou on the military’s detention of politicians:

"I am extremely concerned by the latest news from Burkina Faso.

In protesting against former President Compaoré last year, the people of Burkina Faso very clearly showed that they are no longer willing to accept any attempt to bend laws or rules.

The military’s detention of interim President Kafando and Prime Minister Zida violate the constitution and transitional charter and thus conflict with the will of the people, who are hoping for free, fair and peaceful elections on 11 October.

I condemn the military’s unconstitutional actions in the strongest possible terms and expect the political hostages to be released immediately and unconditionally."
The presidential guard in Burkina Faso detained interim President Michel Kafando and Prime Minister Isaac Zida during a cabinet meeting yesterday (16 September). Kafando and his cabinet form the West African country’s transitional government until the parliamentary and presidential elections on 11 October 2015. Under pressure from mass popular protests, former President Blaise Compaoré stepped down in October last year after 27 years in power. He had previously tried to secure a further term in office by seeking an amendment to the constitution.