Burkino Faso declares Michel Kafando interim president Sunday Nov 16,2014

Political and military leaders in Burkina Faso have chosen a former foreign minister, Michel Kafando, to be the country's interim president. 

Kafando(72) was chosen by a special panel composed of religious, military, political, civil and traditional leaders.

Kafando, a former foreign minister and previously Burkina Faso's ambassador to the United Nations, will be barred from standing at the next election

 

The move follows the signing of a charter on Sunday Nov 16,2014 mapping out a year-long transition to elections

People cheered as the transition charter was signed on Sunday
 

Mr Kafando was one of four possible candidates for the post, including two journalists and an academic

The army took power after President Blaise Compaore was forced to resign on 31 October during mass protests

Lt Col Isaac Zida, who declared himself head of the West African state, has pledged to hand over power to a civilian authority.

Kafando's first task will be to name a prime minister who will appoint a 25-member government.

Burkina Faso's army-appointed leader, Lt Col Isaac Zida, has pledged to hand power to a civilian authority.In a communique on Saturday, Col Zida said the constitution was back in force in order to "allow the start of the establishment of a civilian transition"