Kafando is interim president of Burkina Faso

Ouagadougou, Nov 19 (IANS/EFE) Burkina Faso's former ambassador to the UN, Michel Kafando, has been sworn in as the country's interim president, to serve during a transitional period until general elections are held in November 2015.

The new president, who was chosen by consensus after a popular uprising led to the resignation of Blaise Compaore, pledged that he would not abuse his office while performing his duties, adding that "things will never go back to the way they were before".

During his inauguration speech Tuesday, Kafando stressed the importance of the constitution and promised to look after the interests of young people demanding a change in leadership.

Lt. Col. Isaac Zida, who proclaimed himself interim president immediately after Compaore's ouster, said the army has fulfilled its obligations to restore order in the country and facilitating the appointment of a new president.

Kafando, 72, was the ambassador of Upper Volta (Burkina Faso's former name) to the UN between 1981 and 1982. He returned to occupy the same position for Burkina Faso from 1998 to 2011.

On Sunday, the army signed a Charter of Transition, drawn up in consultation with opposition parties, civic groups and religious leaders, that set out the foundations for a new civilian-run transitional government.

Zida stressed that the signing of the Charter represented a turning point in the history of Burkina Faso.

Compaore had attempted to amend article 37 of the constitution, which was preventing him from running for a fifth term in 2015, which would have been his 27th year in office.

His self-serving actions caused an unprecedented wave of popular protests that forced him to resign and leave the country Nov 1.

--IANS/EFE

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