Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the decision of the President of Burkina Faso to amend the country’s constitution to permit him to seek a third term in office.

The decision by President Compaoré to attempt to amend the constitution has proved disastrous for democracy in Burkina Faso. The UK and our international partners had cautioned President Compaoré against seeking a third term, highlighting the potential risks that taking such action would pose. In the event, the demonstrations resulted in President Compaoré being swept from power and an interim military government being installed.

We now call on the Burkinabe military and security forces to move swiftly to restore a democratically elected civilian government in Burkina Faso. We urge all parts of society to work calmly and collaboratively in this endeavour. We also support the efforts of the African Union, the Economic Community Of West African States and the UN to bring this crisis to a swift and peaceful resolution.