WASHINGTON, DC—Rep. Eliot Engel, the top Democrat on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today released the following statement on the coup in Burkina Faso:

“I condemn the coup in Burkina Faso, which threatens progress toward democracy in that country and the elections that had been planned for next month.  Just last October, the people of Burkina Faso successfully resisted the previous president's attempt to cling to power.  However, recent developments risk derailing this momentum.  I urge the restoration of the transitional government, call for the immediate release of political detainees, and caution the security forces to respect the rights of the people of Burkina Faso to assemble peacefully."

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