By Abebech Tamene
ADDIS ABABA
The African Union (AU) on Monday welcomed what it termed as a "significant progress" made in Burkina Faso after former foreign minister Michel Kafando was appointed as the country's interim president for one year.
In a statement, Chairperson of the AU Commission Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma expressed satisfaction with the appointment of a civilian to lead the country's transition.
She also lauded "political maturity and sense of responsibility of all stakeholders and the people of Burkina Faso."
"The chairperson of the [AU] commission reiterates the AU’s commitment in close cooperation with [Economic Community Of West African States] ECOWAS and the UN, to continue to support the efforts of the Burkinabe stakeholders for the completion of the transition within the agreed timeframe."
Kafando, a former foreign minister, was picked up by a committee of 23 officials - the majority of which are civilians – among three candidates to the post. His competitors were former family minister Josephine Ouedraogo and journalist Cherif Sy.
Kafando is due to be sworn in on Friday in Ouagadougou.
Last month, Burkina Faso descended into chaos after then president Blaise Compaore proposed a constitutional amendment that would have allowed him to seek another term in office.
In power since 1987, Compaore was ultimately forced to step down amid massive street protests against the amendment proposal. He has since moved with his family to the Ivory Coast.
On November 1, the Burkinabe army named Isaac Zida, the second-in-command in Compaore's presidential guard, new interim president.
The appointment, however, drew the ire of the opposition, which asserted that Compaore had left office as the result of popular pressure rather than a military coup.
On November 3, the African Union gave Zida 15 days to relinquish power to a civilian body.
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