Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Ouagadougou (Agenzia Fides) - "There is a desire for dialogue to lead the Country out of the crisis", said Cardinal Philippe Nakellentuba Ouédraogo, Archbishop of Ouagadougou, capital of Burkina Faso, in an interview with the Pontifical Mission Societies of France, sent to Agenzia Fides.
The Cardinal focuses on the crisis that led to the flight, after 27 years in power, of President Blaise Compaoré. "The President - says the Cardinal - underestimated the anger of the population that aspires to greater social justice" trying to impose a third term by amending the Constitution. "We are dealing with a popular uprising, and not a military coup", emphasizes the Archbishop of Ouagadougou. The military, however, took power in conjunction with the flight of the former President.
"The seizure of power by Colonel Isaac Zida is not in compliance with the Constitution, which provides that the transition is ensured by a civilian", recalls Cardinal Ouédraogo but is confident about the fate of the Country. "After the tensions of recent days, with looting and the death of about thirty people, one has the feeling that the transitional government has given a boost to its policy. There is a willingness to dialogue with different political parties and with the civil and religious bodies in the Country, to get out of the crisis as soon as possible".
Moreover, according to the Cardinal, the military fear international sanctions, which "would further weaken Burkina Faso, one of the poorest Countries in Africa".
Cardinal Ouedraogo, who organized a novena of prayer for peace in Burkina Faso (see Fides (03/11/2014), during a meeting between religious representatives and Colonel Yacouba Isaac Zida, described the national inter-religious dialogue as "extraordinary" and underlined that "the Muslim, Catholic and Protestant communities are united and tolerant". (LM) (Agenzia Fides 05/11/2014)
