TEMPO.CO, Ouagadugu - The African Union appointed career diplomat Michel Kafando as Burkina Faso's interim president on Monday, 17 November 2014.
Kafando was chosen through direct negotiation. "The consensus candidate is Michel Kafando," said Ignace Sandwidi, a representative of the Catholic Church, which was involved in the discussions to find a new leader, as reported by Channel News Asia.
A panel of 23 officials chose Kafando over other candidates who will be president in 2015. The appointment of Kafando must then be ratified by the Constitution Council.
The 72 year old man was Burkina Faso’s ambassador for the UN from 1998 to 2011. Kafando is the most favored candidate by the members of the committee.
The appointment of the interim president is done following the upcoming deadline set by the African Union for Burkina Faso to set up an interim presidential election committee in order to avoid sanctions by the African Union.
Kafando was appointed after the ousting of President Blaise Compaore on October 31.
CHANNEL NEWS ASIA | ROSALINA