ECOWAS suspends Burkina Faso, yet to impose sanctions

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has suspended Burkina Faso, following a coup in the country.

On Monday, January 24, a group of soldiers had appeared on state television to declare that they were in control of the country.

Labelling themselves the Patriotic Movement for Safeguarding and Restoration, the soldiers were led by a Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba.

They promptly announced the dissolution of the government of Burkina Faso, the national assembly and suspended the constitution. An overnight curfew was also announced.

According to the military group, the ousted civilian President Roch Marc Kabore and other politicians were being held in a safe place, their whereabouts unknown.

ECOWAS has called for the new junta to release President Roch Marc Christian Kabore and other the other detained officials.

A participant at a virtual summit said the ECOWAS will not impose other sanctions for the time being, adding that the bloc would hold another summit in Accra on February 3.