Burkina Faso: African Union Gives Army Two Weeks to Hand Power to Civilian Government or Face Sanctions

The African Union (AU) has given Burkina Faso's army two weeks to hand power to a civilian government following the military coup last week, according to the head of the organisation's Peace and Security Council.

"The African Union is convinced the change has been against democracy. However, popular pressure led to the resignation of the president," Simeon Oyono Esono told Reuters in Addis Ababa.

"So we have taken note of the origin of the popular revolt which led to the military getting power, so we determined the period of two weeks and after that period we are going apply sanctions," he said.

The military responded by stating that a civilian-led transitional government would be implemented as soon as possible.

The military, led by Lt Col Isaac Zida, took control of the West African country following the resignation of President Blaise Compaore last week after two days of protests against his attempt to prolong his rule over the country by amending the constitution.