Brussels, 25 January 2022/OACPS: On behalf of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), the Secretary-General, H.E. Mr Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti, expresses deep concern about the political situation in Burkina Faso including the coup d’etat carried out on Monday 24 January 2022.

The Secretary-General strongly condemns the military takeover and calls for the unconditional release of President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré. He urges all the parties concerned to exercise utmost restraint in this difficult situation and to ensure that the best interests of the nation and the people of Burkina Faso prevail.

H.E. Mr Chikoti supports the statements by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU), as well as their efforts with a view to securing the return to constitutional order in Burkina Faso.