UNITED NATIONS, United States, Feb 10, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - The UN Security
Council expressed "serious concern" Wednesday over Burkina Faso's
"unconstitutional change of government" last month, but chose not to describe
it as a military coup or even condemn it outright.

  After negotiations diplomatic sources called difficult, the council
unanimously adopted their formal declaration, which "took note" of Burkina
Faso's suspension from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
and the African Union "until there is swift and effective restoration of
constitutional order by the military authorities."

  An earlier version of the document, which AFP obtained, called on the junta
to "facilitate the rapid return of constitutional order" in Burkina Faso, but
that request was removed by Russia, according to a diplomat who requested to
remain anonymous.

  In the adopted declaration, the 15-member Security Council does however
call for the "release and protection of President Roch Marc Christian Kabore
and other government officials."

  It also expressed support for the "regional mediation efforts" to resolve
the crisis, after the recent launch of a joint mission to Burkina Faso by
ECOWAS, the African Union, and the United Nations' office for West Africa.

  While UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres quickly and harshly condemned
the military coup in January, the Security Council decided to wait for ECOWAS
and the African Union to announce their formal positions. After an emergency
meeting last Thursday in Ghana, ECOWAS decided not to impose sanctions
against Burkina Faso, but demanded the new leaders present a timetable for
the "reasonable return to constitutional order."

  Burkina Faso's new strongman, Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo
Damiba, issued a presidential decree Saturday to create a commission tasked
with planning a new national charter and laying out a timetable for the
transition.