ECOWAS calls for calm and dialogue in Burkina Faso

Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) John Dramani Mahama Friday urged the political class in Burkina Faso to hold a dialogue to arrive at a political consensus.

The Ghanaian president said the sub-regional body had followed with grave attention events unfolding in Burkina Faso and the tension around the process leading to the consideration of the draft bill on constitutional amendment, Xinhua reported.

He reiterated in a statement the need for compliance with the principles of democracy and constitutional governance as stipulated in the ECOWAS protocol on democracy and good governance.

Burkina Faso's armed forces Thursday announced the dissolution of parliament and government and the creation of a transitional body after violent protestors against the president's plan to extend his 27-year rule set the parliament ablaze.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's Special Envoy for West Africa, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, was expected to fly to Burkina Faso Friday to try to ease the crisis, the UN said.