The UN Security Council said Wednesday, February 9,
"gravely concerned about the unconstitutional change of government in Burkina Faso on January 24"
, in a statement adopted unanimously that does not use the words of coup d'etat. military state and expresses no condemnation.
In this text approved after difficult negotiations, in particular with Russia, according to diplomats, the 15 members of the Security Council say they
"take note"
of Burkina's suspension from the African Union and ECOWAS
"until the rapid recovery and effectiveness of the constitutional order by the military authorities”
.
Read alsoThe putsch in Burkina Faso, a new blow for Operation Barkhane
A previous version of the statement, obtained by AFP, called on the junta
"to facilitate the rapid return to constitutional order"
, but this request was left out of the text by Moscow during negotiations, according to a diplomatic source requesting the 'anonymity.
In the declaration adopted, the Council says it is
"concerned by the negative impact of unconstitutional changes of government in the region"
, referring to the military coups that have taken place in Mali and Guinea.
He also expressed his concern at
the "increase in terrorist activities and the disastrous socio-economic situation"
for this same region.
Council members also express
“their support for regional mediation efforts”
to resolve the crisis in Burkina Faso.
A joint mission of representatives of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the UN office for West Africa was recently organized in the country.
The council statement
“calls for the release and protection of President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré and other government officials”
arrested or placed under house arrest during the military coup.
Read alsoAfter Mali and Guinea, Burkina Faso in turn targeted by a coup
Written by Ghana, a non-permanent member of the Security Council and current president of ECOWAS, the text follows a meeting on Tuesday behind closed doors of the Security Council on Burkina Faso, requested by the three African members of the body. (Ghana, Kenya, Gabon).
While the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, very quickly condemned the coup in January in strong terms, the Security Council had chosen to wait and see the decisions of the AU and the ECOWAS before adopting a position.