The Interim President of Burkina Faso, MICHEL KAFANDO, who was deposed in a military coup last Thursday, has returned to power.

The Interim President of Burkina Faso, MICHEL KAFANDO, who was deposed in a military coup last Thursday, has returned to power. You will recall that KAFANDO was taken hostage by soldiers of the Presidential Guard during a cabinet meeting at the presidential palace in Ouagadougou before being released. However; Reuter’s news agency is reporting that the interim president is back in power and has restored a civilian transitional government. MICHEL KAFANDO is reported to have given a brief speech to journalists at the foreign ministry in the capital, confirming that he has returned to work and the transition government is now exercising the power of state. Another report says the latest announcement was made as General GILBERT DIENDERE went out to welcome several African leaders who arrived to oversee the transfer of power. The development followed an overnight deal between the presidential guard and the regular army to avoid violence in the West African country. The coup leader had yesterday defied an ultimatum by the army to step down, as troops commanded by army chiefs took control of Ouagadougou.