By John Ikani
Burkina Faso strongman Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba on Thursday named economist Albert Ouedraogo as the new Prime Minister of the West African country.
Mr Ouedraogo, a 52 year-old economist, was said to have experience in management of public administrations, development projects and private companies.
He is also known to have headed a consulting and auditing firm since 2007.
“The new prime minister has solid experience in the field of public administration management, development projects and private companies,” Damiba’s office said.
He will form a Government whose main task will be to secure the country from an Islamist insurgency that has killed thousands and forced at least 1.5 million people to flee their homes.
It is worthwhile to note that Ouedraogo’s appointment came just hours after junta leader Damiba was on Wednesday ceremonially Innaugurated as Interim President for three years after seizing power in a military coup last month.
On Tuesday, Damiba signed a so-called transition charter that declared elections would be held 36 months after his inauguration.
The period was longer than the 30 months that had been proposed by a commission set up by the junta.
The charter stipulates that the President is not eligible for the “presidential, legislative and municipal elections which will be organised to put an end to the transition”.
A 71-member legislature and 25-member Government led by the Prime Minister are being set up to ensure the transition.
Their members will also be barred from contesting the post-transition ballot.
