Zida named Burkina Faso prime minister

Isaac Zida, former interim head of state, was on Wednesday named the transitional prime minister of Burkina Faso.

Following the swearing in of former foreign minister, Michel Kafando, as the transitional president, Isaac Zida, a lieutenant colonel, was named prime minister according to a decree read out by Alain Thierry Ouattara, deputy secretary general of the transitional government.

After the forced resignation of Blaise Compaore, Zida declared himself the interim president on November 1, before handing over power to 72-year-old Kafando.

The moves followed agreement on a year-long transition leading to elections late next year.

The transitional charter, which imposes tight controls on the powers of the interim president, will see an interim legislative chamber installed until elections are organised in November 2015.

Zida and Kafando are expected to hold talks on forming a government and appointing 25 other people to work with them in the transition process.

Although the army has been commended for maintaining peace and tranquility in such a trying time in the country’s history, there are fears that the appointment of Zida may compromise the expected return to civilian rule.

Zida, who was a senior officer in former President Compaore’s presidential guard, is seen as a part of the old order.