OUAGADOUGOU: The second in command of Burkina Faso’s presidential guard, Colonel Isaac Zida, said today he has assumed power as head of state during the transition period, saying a similar claim by the army chief is “obsolete.”
“I now assume... the responsibilities of head of the transition and of head of state to assure the continuation of the state” and a “smooth democratic transition“, said Zida in a televised speech. He is leading a group of young officers opposing a similar claim to power made by army chief Nabere Honore Traore on Friday.--AFP