Veteran diplomat Michel Kafando was on 17 November 2014 chosen as interim president of Burkina Faso. Michel Kafando will head the country until November 2015 elections.
A panel of 23 officials chose Kafando after preferring him to the other candidates which included journalist Cherif Sy and sociologist and ex-minister Josephine Ouedraogo. Michel Kafando appointment will now be ratified by the Constitutional Council.
Michel Kafando was Burkina Faso's foreign affairs minister between 1981 and 1982. Kafando previously served as the country's ambassador to the United Nations from 1998 to 2011.
Transition Charter
• A transition charter, a sort of interim constitution that was hammered out between the military and civilian, opposition and religious figures was officially signed by the military.
• Under the charter, the president will appoint a prime minister, either a civilian or a military figure, who will head a 25-member transitional government.
• A civilian will also head a 90-seat parliament known as the National Transitional Council.
• According to a draft of the transition blueprint, no members of the interim regime will be allowed to stand in the November 2015 election.
Background
The decision came ahead of a deadline imposed by the African Union which instructed Burkina Faso to establish interim institutions and pick an interim president by 17 November 2014 or face sanctions.
The country was returned to civilian rule after its long-time President Blaise Compaore was forced to resign on 31 October 2014 during mass protests. Compaore ruled for 27 years after seizing power in a coup in 1987.
Compaore had to quit after violent protests sparked by his bid to extend his rule by changing the constitution of the landlocked former French colony. Since the ouster of Compaore, Army took control of the country.
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