The army took control 17 days ago after violent demontrations drove President Blaise Campaore to flee the West African nation he’d led for 27 years.

The appointment of the career diplomat, who’s represented Burkina Faso as ambassador to the United Nations, is designed to end weeks of uncertainty in the impoverished country.

It beats a deadline imposed by the African Union, which warned the country would face sanctions unless it appointed an interim leader by today.

Seventy two-year-old Michel Kafando will have to be confirmed by the Constitutional Council.

He was Burkina Faso’s foreign minister 32 years ago.

His appointment comes after hours negotiations by a panel comprising politicians, civil society and the military.

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African sensitivity about Campoare’s fall after 27 years is illustrated by the media in Equatorial Guinea being banned from reporting it by president Teodoro Obiang Nguema who’s been in power for 37 years.

At first the army refused to participate in transition talks in Ouagadougou.

In neighbouring Ivory Coast, where he fled after resigning as president, Blaise Campaora broke his silence accusing military and political opponents of jointly plotting his overthrow.

Opposition leader Zephirin Diabre expects a final version of the transitional agreement to be handed to the military authorities.

There will then be delicate talks to arrive at an agreed plan.

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The continental body threatens sanctions if this doesn’t happen, saying the army acted unconstitutionally taking power after President Blaise Compaore was forced out last Friday.

Burkina Faso’s military says a civilian-led transitional government will be established as quickly as possible.

Last Saturday, it named Lt Col Isaac Zida as the new interim ruler.

The AU Peace and Security Council meeting in Addis Ababa determines a popular revolt led to Compaore’s resignation, but the military takeover is against democracy.

If the military fails to give up power within two weeks sanctions could include suspension of Burkina Faso’s AU membership and a travel ban on military officials.

Zida tell diplomats and journalists in Ouagadougou that the military had no plan to usurp power.

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The African Union and the United States have condemned the military taken over and called for an immediate restoration of civilian rule.

Violent protests last week unseated Blaise Campaore after 27 years as president and sent him seeking shelter in neighbouring Ghana.

Oppositions groups are adamant they will determine the country’s future in cooperation with the army.

They’ve rejected the announcement by Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Zida that he is now in charge.

He’s adamant there has not been a coup and says he’ll lead the country to elections within 90 days.

The opposition groups insist the transition must be democratic and civilian in nature.

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Campaore, who was president for 27 years, was toppled by hundreds of thousands of people incensed at his plan to prolong his tenure at elections scheduled for next year.

Social media in Africa came alive at images of jubilant Burkinabe celebrating the departure of Blaise Campaore.

People are saying his fate should he a lesson to dictators and leaders who exceed their constitutional term in power.

At least nine of the continent’s leaders have been in power for more than 20 years.

Presidents in Angola, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Uganda, Sudan and Zimbabwe have all come under fire.

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They’d occupied public spaces insisting his promise to leave next year isn’t good enough.

There’s confusion the capital Ougadougou about exactly who’s in charge of Burkina Faso.

The military brought in a transitional government yesterday after more than 30 protestors died in clashes with troops.

President Blaise Campaore, who’s held power for 27 years, abandoned plans to seek another term after elections next year.

But the opposition’s insisting on his leaving now.

Army Colonel Boutreima Farta tells a crowd outside army headquarters that as of today Campaore is no longer in power.

Campaore’s reportedly left the capital.

After gaining power in a 1987 coup, he won four disputed elections and planned to tamper with the constitution to enable him to win another term next year.

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Hundreds stormed parliament and torched MPs houses. At least 30 people have died in clashes with troops.

President Blaise Campaore’s refused to step down immediately.

The army has taken control of the country saying it’s installed a transitional government that will restore normalcy within 12 month.

The opposition says Campaore’s departure is non negotiable.

He says he’ll talks about a transitional period after which power will be transferred to a democratically elected president.

The United Nations has sent a special envoy to help restore calm.

Both the European Union and the United States have expressed concern and called for an end to the violence.

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