WASHINGTON, DC—Representative Eliot L. Engel, the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement on elections in Burkina Faso:

“I congratulate the Burkinabé people on this weekend’s elections in Burkina Faso—the first in over 25 years that can be deemed free, fair, and transparent.  Last fall's attempt by Blaise Compaoré to extend his tenure in power destabilized the country, and during the transitional period, some elements of the military repeatedly risked derailing the transition to democratic rule.  Nonetheless, the will of the people has prevailed in upholding Burkina Faso’s constitution and ushering in a new political era.  It is my hope that the people of Burkina Faso stay focused on building a strong democracy and I look forward to working with President-elect Roch Marc Kaboré.”

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