Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Burkina Faso.

We were deeply concerned by the violence and uncertainty in Burkina Faso, caused by President Blaise Compaoré’s attempt to change the constitution in order to seek a third term, and the subsequent installation of a military government.

We strongly support the efforts of the African Union, Economic Community of West African States and the United Nations to bring about a peaceful, civilian-led and democratic transition process, leading to free and fair elections as soon as possible. We call on the Burkinabe military authorities to work swiftly with all parts of society to that end.