Burkina Faso: No Amnesty for Assassins, Says Burkina Faso Civil Rights Leader

interview

Rapper and activist Serge Bambara, alias Smockey, was one of the first to condemn the September 16 coup by Burkina Faso's presidential guard (RSP). He is leader of civil society group Le Balais citoyen ("Sweep it out") and was also in the frontline of October 2014 demonstrations that pushed long-time former president Blaise Compaoré to leave office. Smockey slams the idea of an amnesty for the coup leaders in exchange for a return to the transition process, as put forward in a draft crisis proposal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in an emergency meeting in Abuja.

As everyone awaits the outcome of that meeting, Smockey spoke to JusticeInfo.Net. In the capital Ouagadougou, the regular army and elements of the RSP were holding their positions, without clashing so far. People have been advised to stay at home. Clashes between civil society demonstrators and the RSP have so far left about a dozen people dead and 100 injured since the beginning of the crisis.

...

AllAfrica publishes around 400 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.