Military strongman Zida names his interim Cabinet

Burkina Faso's Prime Minister Lt. Col. Isaac Zida listens to proceedings during the Interim President's inauguration ceremony on November 21, 2014 in Ouagadougou. Zida is set to name his ministerial team, amid fears of continued military influence over the phased return to democratic rule. PHOTO | SIA KAMBOU |

What you need to know:

  • He will lead a 90-seat Parliament, known as the National Transitional Council, during a year-long interim administration.
  • Lieutenant Colonel Zida formally handed power to interim civilian President Michel Kafando on Friday.

OUAGADOUGOU, Saturday

Burkina Faso army strongman and new Prime Minister Isaac Zida is set to name his ministerial team, amid fears of continued military influence over the phased return to democratic rule.

Lieutenant Colonel Zida, in charge of Burkina Faso since the ouster of veteran leader Blaise Compaore three weeks ago, formally handed power to interim civilian President Michel Kafando on Friday.

Zida presented a Burkinabe flag to Kafando, who waved it before the crowd gathered in a stadium in the capital Ouagadougou for a ceremony attended by six African heads of state.

Zida has been named prime minister in Burkina’s interim government, a move that will ensure the military retains a large say in running the country under Kafando, a 72-year-old former foreign minister and career diplomat.

Zida is expected to name army officials to the key positions of defence, finance and social affairs in his new 25-member government, a diplomatic source said.

“Make no mistake, it’s (Zida) who will lead the country,” said a diplomat, on condition of anonymity.

Some civil society representatives have also voiced concern over Zida’s appointment, while some residents of Ouagadougou called it a betrayal of their “revolution”.

He will lead a 90-seat Parliament, known as the National Transitional Council, during a year-long interim administration.

Both Kafando and Zida are barred from standing in elections scheduled to be held in November next year under the transition deal.

Kafando vowed to punish those responsible for excesses during the 27-year-long rule of Compaore, who was very close to deposed Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi and Liberian warlord-turned-president Charles Taylor, currently jailed for war crimes.

“We will settle accounts with all those who have abused justice and who think they can siphon off public funds,” Kafando said. “The message of the people is clear and we have heard it,” he said. “No more injustice, no more chaos, no more corruption.”

Six African heads of state were present for the handover.

A seventh, Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbe, was replaced at the last moment by his prime minister, as thousands of protesters — apparently inspired by the Burkina uprising — tried to march on his country’s Parliament.

Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama called it “a great day that marks the end of a period of political uncertainty”.

Zida, 49, was appointed prime premier by Kafando on Wednesday, a day after the former UN ambassador was sworn in as interim leader.