Burkina Faso junta leader names lawyer as prime minister

DOUALA, Cameroon

The junta leader in Burkina Faso has appointed Joachim Kyelem de Tambela, a lawyer, as prime minister by presidential decree.

Capt. Ibrahim Traore's decision came late Friday after his own swearing-in as transitional president in the West African country after a coup late last month – the second in less than a year.

Traore decided by decree to appoint Tambela, 64, as prime minister under the Constitution and the Oct. 14 transition charter.

The new head of government is a popular lawyer and writer in Burkina Faso, as well as a research professor.

Head of the Center for International and Strategic Research (CRIS) think tank, he is known for frequent appearances on local TV and radio public affairs programs, speaking on the country’s social and political situation.

The lawyer will be in charge of leading a 25-member government amid general instability.

He succeeded Albert Ouedraogo, who held the same position this March to September as part of the transition after the previous coup.

The current junta staged a coup on Sept. 30 against Lt. Col. Henri Sandaogo Damiba, the former leader of the junta known as the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration (MPSR).

The first coup overthrew civilian President Roch Marc Christian Kabore, on Jan. 23, during his second term. Leaders’ inability to secure the country from terrorism and ensure security were cited as the reasons for both coups.