{Burkina Faso’s interim leader has dismissed the African Union’s imposition of a two-week deadline to hand power to civilians.}<\/p>\n
“We are not afraid of sanctions, we care much more about stability,” said Lt Col Isaac Zida after talks with opposition parties and civil society.<\/p>\n
They have agreed to hold elections next year but not on an interim leader.<\/p>\n
The military took power after President Blaise Compaore was forced to quit last week amid mass protests.<\/p>\n
The West African regional body Ecowas has appointed Senegalese President Macky Sall to leads its mediation efforts in Burkina Faso.<\/p>\n
He was one of three leaders who travelled to the capital, Ouagadougou, on Wednesday for the talks, which led to the one-year transition agreement.<\/p>\n
The talks are continuing as the various parties attempt to agree on a civilian interim leader.<\/p>\n
Some opposition parties do not want Mr Compaore’s former governing party to be involved in the discussions.<\/p>\n
Col Zida has agreed to hand over power to civilians but late on Thursday said he was not concerned by the African Union deadline.<\/p>\n
“We have waited on the African Union in moments when it should have shown its fraternity and its friendship but instead was not there,” he said.<\/p>\n
“It’s unfortunate but it’s not too late.”<\/p>\n
Sanctions danger
\nGhana’s President John Dramani Mahama has said he thought the threat of sanctions would be avoided.<\/p>\n
“I am certain that we will not reach the stage where the international community will have to impose sanctions,” the AP news agency quotes him as saying.<\/p>\n
The AU sanctions could include suspension of Burkina Faso’s AU membership and a travel ban on military officials. The AU’s Peace and Security Council is expected to meet again later this month to discuss the crisis.<\/p>\n
Under Burkina Faso’s constitution, the head of the National Assembly should take office if the president resigns.<\/p>\n
However, Col Zida was previously second in command of the presidential guard.<\/p>\n
Mr Compaore first seized power in a coup in 1987, and went on to win four disputed elections.<\/p>\n
The protests were triggered by his plan to amend the constitution so that he could run for office again in elections next year.<\/p>\n
After resigning, Mr Compaore fled to neighbouring Ivory Coast.<\/p>\n
BBC<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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