OUGADOUGU
Burkina Faso's interim Prime Minister Yacouba Isaac Zida said his government would call for the extradition of ousted leader Blaise Compaoré from Ivory Coast if the country's prosecution authorities decided to summon the ex-leader to stand trial.
"Compaore's extradition depends on the Burkinabe justice system, which remains independent. It is up to it [the justice system] to make its directions, and transitional President Michel Kafando and all the transitional authorities are ready to back its pursuit," Zida told The Anadolu Agency in an exclusive interview.
The former president, who ruled Burkina Faso for 27 years, was forced to step down on Oct. 31 and depart to Ivory Coast.
Compaore's departure followed mass protests sparked by plans to amend the constitution to allow him to seek a third term in office.
As for the former regime officials currently jailed on a host of charges, Zida said that he "trusts the country's justice system," although the detained men's fate is not "a priority" for the government.
"Those who committed violations will be brought to justice," he said. "If it turns out they have criminal cases, they will answer to their actions."
"For those who were not involved in any wrongdoing, they will continue their lives as normal citizens, as long as their presence… is not detrimental to the conduct of our tasks," he added.
"Other than that, we have many other priorities," he asserted.
According to Zida, his government's top priority is ensuring a smooth transition of power and holding transparent elections later this year.
"To do this, we need the support of all our partners," he said. "Then there are reforms that we have to carry out in the army, education and [in terms of] social benefits."
He added: "We are also committed to the fight against corruption and economic crimes."
Asked whether his country could serve as a model for political change in other African countries, Zida argued that this was not necessary.
"Since the eruption of the Burkinabe uprising [last October], many analysts have said that the shockwave that started in Burkina Faso would spread to the rest of Africa," he said.
"These interpretations are shortsighted, however, except for the few protest movements in countries whose presidents try to make constitutional amendments," he added.
"We must not forget that each African country has its unique specificities and socio-cultural identity. Every nation has its own history," Zida stressed.
"We cannot apply what took place in specific countries at some point in their history to other geographic areas that have their own culture," the premier concluded.
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