Burkina Faso begins return to democratic rule

Michel Kafando has the daunting task of leading his country out of its worst crisis in recent history. A transition committee of representatives from the army, traditional and religious groups, civil society and Burkina Faso's political parties agreed on the nomination of the career diplomat in the early hours of Monday morning (17.11.2014).

"It is an awesome responsibility that falls to me, I already foresee the pitfalls and the immensity of the task," Kafando told reporters. He said he wanted to shape a new Burkinabe society that was tolerant, just and truly democratic.

Kafando will preside over the return to democratic rule and prepare for fresh elections in 12 months time. This follows the signing on Sunday of a "transition charter," an interim constitution which was hammered out last week.

Kafando said all institutions in Burkina Faso would face up to the challenge. Their credibility and the "future of our beloved country" was a stake, he said. In the wake of recent terrible events, the country needed to recover its self-confidence in order "to master the challenges of the future," Kanfando added.

Even though Kafando's name only made it to the top of the list of possible candidates late on Sunday afternoon, the former foreign minister appears to meet the requirements of many involved in the transition process.

Zephrin Diabre, opposition representative on the transition committee, said Kafando was the interim president that everybody wished for. "He will be able to tackle the problem of corruption and impunity. That would meet the expectations of the protestors," he said.

African Union welcomes transition

With the appointment of Michel Kafando, a civilian is now once again at the helm of the impoverished West African state. President Blaise Compaore resigned on October 31 and fled to Ivory Coast following a tide of street protest against his rule.

The demonstrators who ousted Compaore said he was corrupt and greedy for power. Even though he had been president for 27 years, he wanted to amend the constitution so he could stay in office for even longer.

The head of the African Union Commission, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, welcomed the appointment of a civilian as interim president, and praised the people of Burkina Faso "for their political maturity and sense of responsibility."

Many people in Burkina Faso had feared that the military would be unwilling to hand power back to a civilian administration.

Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Zida declared himself head of state after Compaore's hasty departure. But in the meantime Zida has consented to a return to civilian leadertship and has said he supported Kafando's nomination. Zida spoke of "laying down permanent foundations for democracy, which is the true will of the people."

Urgent need for reform

Critics, however, fear that the military may be able to be exert influence on Kafando. "It's a possiblity, it's a risk," said UK-based political analyst Eloise Betrand. "There's been a big push to get the military out of power and in the history of Burkina Faso there have been a lot of military regimes," she said.

Burkinabe journalist Cherif Sy, a runner-up in the nomination for interim president, told DW that reforms need to be enacted in the country swiftly. The young demonstrators who took to the streets "have high expectations which must now be fulfilled," he said.

Opposition leader Ablasse Ouedraogo believes the rest of Africa should be allowed to benefit Burkina Faso's experience and has proposed including a clause in the African Union charter limiting the number of terms any African head of state can serve.