How Buhari ensured democratic transition in Burkina Faso — Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said President Muhammadu Buhari ​wa​s a key player in the civil transition in Burkina Faso which culminated Tuesday with the inauguration of a democratically elected president in the west African nation.

Mr. Osinbajo made the observation while speaking with reporters after the inauguration of Rock Marc Christian Kabore as the democratic President of Burkina Faso at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Ouaga 2000 Stadium, Ouagadougou.

The event was witnessed by several presidents from West Africa and former leaders like Nigeria’s Olusegun Obasanjo and Ghana’s Jerry Rawlings.

The ​v​ice ​p​resident said Mr. Buhari was very categorical in criticizing the coup d’etats which took place in the country before the election and said the position was important in ensuring enduring civil rule in the continent.

“President Muhammadu Buhari of cause was at the table and was probably one of the key persons who brought about this.

“As a matter of fact the Burkinabes agreed that he played such a significant role in enabling this to happen.

“Even from the time of their elections we aided the electoral committee logistically and in various other ways and the President was firm about the issue of the Coup.

“He was very firm and of cause you know that he was possibly one of the active negotiators in ensuring that the coup did not stand.

“So our relationships will be much stronger. I think the Burkinabe people 2understand the role that we have played and are very appreciative,” he said.

The ​v​ice ​p​resident​, ​who represented Mr. Buhari at the inauguration, described it as a great occasion noting that the ECOWAS sub region had come of age in democracy.

“I think it is a very great occasion. It is a wonderful day indeed for West Africa and indeed for Africa because after 30 years of military rule in one form or the other we now have a transition to an authentic civil democracy which is incredible indeed.

“And the fact that all these happened with the active collaboration of ECOWAS states without any outside interference is a great thing indeed.

“I think that in many senses ECOWAS has come of age. It shows that ECOWAS is able to resolve its disputes and to advance its own causes.

“This is excellent indeed. It is a very wonderful day and I congratulate the President on this great occasion and of cause the people of Burkina Faso who stood their ground and insisted on democracy.’’

Mr. Osinbajo said that the people of Burkina Faso had proved to be genuinely interested in good governance.

“They have been courageous. They have fought to see this day and they deserve all the congratulations and all the commendation.

“I think the people did an excellent outing, they stood their ground.

“But for that we probably wouldn’t be here today,’’ he added.

President Kabore pledged to restore the past glory of the country and entrench transparency and promote democracy.

He described the event as a new dawn adding that liberty, equity, justice and national reconciliation would be his watch words.