U.N. chief 'outraged' by Burkina Faso detentions, calls for release

Reuters

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed outrage on Wednesday at reports of the detention of Burkina Faso's president and prime minister and several ministers, calling for their immediate release. The presidential guard burst into a cabinet meeting earlier on Wednesday and arrested the interim president. The move comes less than a month before an election to complete a transition back to democracy after a popular uprising toppled Burkina's long-time ruler last year. "The Secretary-General is outraged by reports of the detention of President Michel Kafando and Prime Minister Yacouba Isaac Zida of Burkina Faso," Ban's press office said in a statement. "The Secretary-General calls for their immediate release. This incident is a flagrant violation of Burkina Faso's Constitution and Transitional Charter." (Reporting by Michelle Nichols)