AFRICA/BURKINA FASO - An agreement for the transition has been reached; for the Bishops: a "historic turning point, now let us work for peace"

Ouagadougou (Agenzia Fides) - Presidential elections in Burkina Faso will be held in November 2015. It is one of the main points of the agreement reached yesterday, November 5, between the military that took power after the flight of President Blaise Compaoré and politicians, religious and civil society, with the mediation of the Heads of State of Ghana, Senegal and Nigeria.
The agreement provides that the military junta cedes power to a civilian government to lead the Country until the 2015 elections, chaired by the Head of State of transition that will be appointed in coming days.
The Bishops of Burkina Faso in their message on November 4, asked "politicians to protect the Country from deplorable consequences", taking into account "the people's aspirations and needs of the international community".
The Bishops also argue that "to ensure a quick and consensual transition (...) it is desirable that the principal leaders of the organs of transition are excluded from future elections".
In expressing its condolences to the victims of the uprising against the deposed President, the Bishops launch an appeal to the responsibility of all in order to achieve "a real change, namely the conversion of hearts, in order to open the path for a future of justice, forgiveness, reconciliation and peace". The Bishops' Conference had understood the signals that led to the political change in recent days (see Fides 31/10/2014), an event for which the Bishops express gratitude to the "living forces of the nation, in particular women and young people who mobilized for a fight with courage and a historic victory". Cardinal Philippe Ouédraogo, Archbishop of Ouagadougou, has announced a novena for peace and reconciliation (see Fides 03/11/2014). (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 06/11/2014)