Burkina Faso's new junta leader sworn in as president

By Aurore Bonny

DOUALA, Cameroon (AA) - The head of the Burkinabe junta Capt. Ibrahim Traore was sworn in before the Constitutional Council Friday as the new president of the transition around one month after a coup.

During the official swearing-in ceremony broadcast on Burkina Faso's national television, Traore, 34, swore before the members of the constitutional council "to preserve, respect, ensure respect for and defend the constitution, the transitional charter, and the laws."

He vowed, with his right hand raised, to "do everything possible to guarantee justice for all the inhabitants of Burkina Faso."

The new leader of the West African country staged a coup on Sept. 30 against Lt. Col. Henri Sandaogo Damiba, the former leader of the junta known as the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration.

The same overthrew civilian President Roch Marc Christian Kabore, on Jan. 23 during his second term. The inability of the leaders to secure the country against terrorism and poor security choices are the pretexts put forward by the junta during both coups.

Traore, unanimously designated as the president on 15 Oct. by a national assembly of the nation's active forces, reiterated on Friday his willingness to fight alongside his compatriots to confront the terrorists who have been undermining the country's security for several years.

"We can win this battle. We can win this war," he said, indicating that the enemy is not above the Burkinabe.

"Fatherland or death, we will win," he added, calling on the people of Burkina Faso to show solidarity and unity.

He committed himself to peace "on the great fronts for the liberation" of his country.

"For my nation I will fight," he insisted.

He claimed the last putsch saying it marked the revolt of the volunteers for the defense of the country and that of the populations of the afflicted localities. They "pay a heavy price but have decided to defend the country with their bodies and souls," according to Traore.

The end of the transition is scheduled for 2024, and its president is not eligible for the general elections that will be organized at the end of this period.

In the country of more than 20 million people, growing insecurity and blockades in many areas have left communities cut off from the rest of the country and facing increasing hunger, according to the UN.

Its Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported a rise in humanitarian needs, indicating that a quarter of the population, or some 4.9 million people, need emergency assistance, 40% more than at the beginning of the year.