Burkina Faso ruling party backs President Kabore for re-election

Burkina Faso ruling party backs President Kabore for re-election

OUAGADOUGOU, July 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Burkina Faso President Roch Marc Christian Kabore won his party’s backing to run for a second term, despite struggling to crush a bloody jihadist insurgency.

Simon Compaore, president of the People’s Movement for Progress (MPP), made the announcement to cheering supporters at a stadium rally in the capital Ouagadougou.

Thousands turned out in a massive show of force, filling a 5,000-capacity sports stadium in Ouagadougou and 20 giant tents outside.

Kabore himself could not attend the event, because of his role, said a party executive.

But in a message read out by a party spokesman, he welcomed the decision and promised to build “solidarity and development” in the country.

Since Kabore took charge, a jihadist offensive has advanced across the nation, igniting ethnic squabbles, claiming at least 1,100 lives and forcing nearly a million people from their homes.

Kabore’s performance during this mounting crisis is now under scrutiny as the presidential ballot looms in November. — NNN-AGENCIES

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