The Peace and Security Council of the African Union met recently to discuss the ongoing transitional government in Burkina Faso in the wake of September's failed seven-day coup attempt.
Burkina Faso has been on a tenuous track toward open presidential and legislative elections for most of the year after President Blaise Compaoré resigned in October 2014, after 27 years in power. Elections are now scheduled for Sunday.
The council emphasized its support for the elections and urged the council's member countries to do whatever they could to see that the elections were carried out safely and cleanly, particularly by sending election observers to Burkina Faso at their own expense. The council said it also will send its own Election Observation Mission as soon as possible.
To address the long-term stability of the country, the council also recommended working with the United Nations and the Economic Community of West African States to organize a meeting of an International Support and Follow-up Group to the Transition in Burkina Faso to explore channels for ongoing international support for Burkina Faso's transition.
Two dozen people are facing charges in connection with the September coup attempt.
Additional sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blaise_Compaor%C3%A9
http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/africa/west-africa/burkina-faso/222-burkina-faso-nine-months-t...
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-34461725
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/17/world/africa/burkina-faso-new-charges-in-coup.html
African Union Security Council discusses Burkina Faso's transition
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