Burkina army told to hand over power

The African Union (AU) has given Burkina Faso's military a two-week deadline to hand power to a civilian ruler or face sanctions.

The AU said the army had acted unconstitutionally when it took over after President Blaise Compaore was forced to resign on Friday.

The military said a civilian-led transitional government would be established as quickly as possible.

Lt Col Zida took power after protests ended Mr Compaore's 27-year rule.

A popular revolt led to Mr Compaore's resignation, but the military takeover was against democracy, said AU official Simeon Oyono Esono, following a meeting of the body's Peace and Security Council in Ethiopia.

The AU will apply sanctions against Burkina Faso if the military fails to give up power within two weeks, he is quoted by Reuters news agency as saying.

The BBC's Emmanuel Igunza in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa says the 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 in two weeks' time to discuss the crisis, he says.

BBC News