African Union Names ex-Togo PM as Burkina Faso Envoy

The African Union has named Togo's former prime minister as special envoy to Burkina Faso following the popular uprising that toppled Blaise Compaore, a statement said Tuesday.

AU commission chief Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma named Edem Kodjo as the pan-African bloc's special envoy late on Monday, after the AU's peace and security council gave the regime two weeks to return to civilian rule.

Kodjo's appointment "is part of the AU's efforts to facilitate the resolution of the crisis facing Burkina Faso," Dlamini-Zuma said in a statement.

He will work to support "the rapid establishment of a civilian-led, democratic and consensual transition that would lead to the holding, at the earliest possible date, of free, fair and transparent elections," Dlamini-Zuma added.

The army has stepped into a power vacuum left by Compaore, who was forced to resign last week in the wake of violent demonstrations over attempts to extend his 27-year-rule.

The military has promised to hand power to a "consensus" leader.

Kodjo, who served as Togo's prime minister 1994-1996, was also Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the AU's forerunner, from 1978-1983.