More than two weeks after a military coup deposed President Roch Kabore, the United Nations Security Council expressed “serious concern” about the unconstitutional change of government in Burkina Faso.
A 15-member council discussed the Jan. 24 coup behind closed doors on Tuesday. Late on Wednesday, the Security Council agreed by consensus to call for Kabore and other government officials to be freed and protected.
Besides Burkina Faso, military takeovers have recently occurred in Myanmar, Mali, Sudan and Guinea, as well as attempted coups in several other countries.
U.N. Chief Antonio Guterres slammed the “epidemic of coup d’etats” in October and urged the Security Council to act. During the coup in Burkina Faso on Jan. 24, Guterres condemned any attempt at overthrowing the government.
“The members of the Security Council expressed concern over the negative impact of unconstitutional changes of government in the region, increase in terrorist activities and the dire socio-economic situation,” the council said in Wednesday’s statement.
With the ability to impose sanctions and authorize military action, the Security Council has long been split on how to resolve various conflicts, with the United States and other Western representatives pitted against Russia and China.
