The Government of Ghana has condemned the coup in neighbouring Burkina Faso.
Presidential guard officers in Burkina Faso on Thursday seized power in a coup, with reports of more than 10 deaths amid protests in the capital, Ouagadougou the BBC reported.
A close ally of former President Blaise Compaore has been named the country’s new leader, the Burkina Faso’s state television reported.
The US, France and the African Union (AU) have all condemned the coup in the former French colony. Those killed were said to have been shot dead by presidential guard forces in the capital, a civil society group said.
A statement signed by Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ms Hannah Tetteh said Ghana has followed with grave concern the events unfolding in “our sister country Burkina Faso from Wednesday 16th September, 2015 and the tension created due to the destabilisation of the transitional process.”
“The Government of Ghana condemns in no uncertain terms the coup d’état announced on Thursday 17th September, 2015 in Ouagadougou, which has truncated the process put in place to restore Burkina Faso to constitutional rule by October 2015.”
“It is regrettable that an internationally brokered process to promote the principle of entrenching democracy and constitutional governance in Burkina Faso has been violated with impunity.”
To this end, the government of Ghana reiterates the need to uphold the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the immediate and unconditional release of the Transitional President and the Prime Minister as well as the restoration of the transitional process, the statement said.
It added that the government of Ghana further emphasizes the need for the safety of members of the Transitional Government and the general public.
Within the context of the need to promote peace and security in our sub-region, the Government of Ghana calls on the sisterly people of Burkina Faso to remain calm and exercise restraint in the wake of the current crisis. All political stakeholders should therefore embrace dialogue to ensure the protection and preservation of lives.
The sisterly people of Burkina Faso can count on the continued support of the Government and people of Ghana at this difficult time.
