Jail Burkina coup makers – Casely Hayford

daniel russell

September 26, 2015 11:07 AM

Elements of Burkina Faso's military declared they were in control of the nation after presidential guards stormed a Cabinet meeting and seized the President and the Prime Minister -- days before the general elections.

Casely-Hayford - Financial Analyst

Financial analyst, Sidney Casely-Hayford is upset that Gen Gilbert Diendere and other presidential guards who carried out a coup in Burkina Faso recently seem to have gone unpunished.

Gen Diendere was an adviser to former President Blaise Compaore, who stepped down under pressure by protesters in 2014 after ruling for 27 years.

The military justified its actions claiming that the interim government failed to establish a "democracy based on consensus.”

At least 10 people were killed and more than 100 injured in clashes during the take-over.

President Michel Kafando and other government ministers were detained during the raid in the capital.

The African Union following a meeting of its Peace and Security Council in Addis Ababa on Friday suspended Burkina Faso 'with immediate effect', and slapped a travel ban and asset freeze on the junta leaders.

Kafando was formally reinstated on Wednesday after an intervention from the army and several West African leaders.

READ MORE: > Michel Kafando 'back in charge'

Coup leader Gen Gilbert Diendere has admitted the putsch had been "the biggest mistake".

Speaking on Citi FM’s The Big Issue on Saturday, Mr Casely-Hayford observed that the presidential guards committed an act of treason but seem to have been given immunity.

“What are we doing with the person who led the overthrow of a civilian government? What that man did was a treasonable offence. If he had succeeded, they would have shown no mercy to anybody without proper trial… When we have laws and we don’t apply them, this is what happens. The person who took arms to overthrow a civilian government must be punished to serve as a deterrent to anybody who would like to overthrow any government,” he said.

daniel russell