A coalition of Guinean opposition leaders has presented President Blaise Compaoré of Burkina Faso a set of proposals they believe will end  the political crisis precipitated by a military takeover in Guinea last December, reports Sidwaya from Ouagadougou.

The newspaper’s online edition reported that opposition politicians and trade unionists are calling for the military junta which seized power to step down, and for the formation of a transitional government, free political and union activity and the release of those arrested when the military suppressed protests last September 28.

President Compaoré was appointed by West African nations to mediate in the crisis in Guinea. He was reported as saying in response to the opposition demands that they did not differ from those expressed previously. On the question of whether sanctions imposed on the junta hindered his efforts, he said they were measures taken by the international community which had to be lived with.

From Kinshasa, Le Potentiel reports that the opposition also rejected calls from Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, head of the junta, for "direct, frank and sincere talks." Camara made the call in a televised broadcast last Monday evening. Mamadou Mouctar Diallo, leader of the New Democratic Force of Guinea (NFD), said there was nothing new Camara could bring to the table, as all that he could say had already been said.

Sidwaya also reported that a former minister and now leader of the Democratic Force of Guinee (UFDG), Cellou Dalein Diallo, had expressed confidence in Compaoré’s mediation and was hopeful about the outcome of the present talks. He insisted on the release of all detainees and the closure of non-conventional structures put in place by the junta. He further insisted that the government should take responsibility for those wounded on September 28, especially for women who had been raped when the protest was crushed. He called for the dissolution of the junta, and for the removal from power of Camara.

Union leader Dr. Ibrahima Fofana called for the formation of a transitional structure to implement resolutions agreed to during the current talks. He revealed that opposition leaders had proposed a six-month transitional administration.

Compaoré hopes to meet the junta in the coming days. He said only one party had been heard so far and only after listening to both parties could a clear path be worked out.

Article adapted and translated by Michael Tantoh from reports in Sidwaya and Le Potentiel.