United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed “strong condemnation” of a military group’s coup in Burkina Faso on Friday, announcing the resignation of former junta chief Paul-Henri Sandaugo Damiba.

Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for the Secretary-General of the United Nations, said: “The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the events taking place in Burkina Faso, strongly condemns any attempt to seize power by force of arms and calls on all to refrain from violence and engage in dialogue, and expresses his full support » regional efforts to quickly restore constitutional order in the country.

Emphasizing that Burkina Faso “needs peace, stability and unity to fight terrorist groups and criminal networks operating in parts of the country, Guterres reaffirmed the commitment of the United Nations to support the people of Burkina Faso in their efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability. “