The African Union (AU) has given the military of Burkina Faso two weeks to relinquish power to civilian rule, or face economic sanctions.  After a popular uprising forced the president from office, the AU says the Burkinian military illegally seized power.

“The African Union is convinced that the change has been against democracy,” said Simeon Oyono Esono, head of the AU's Peace and Security Council. 

Burkina Faso’s military appointed Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Zida as interim head of state over the weekend.  He claims that that “power does not interest us” and pledged to install a unity government with a “broad consensus”, which he hinted would be civilian-run.  That should have been the case anyway:  In the event of a presidential vacancy, the Burkinian Constitution specifies that the head of the national assembly should take over as leader until elections are held within a matter of weeks.

Last week, President Blaise Compaore stepped down and fled the country after his plans to extend his 27-year rule were met by thousands of angry protesters demanding he quit.  On Monday, France acknowledged it played a role in urging Compaore to quit and go to Ivory Coast in the interest of removing Compaore from power with the least amount of drama and bloodshed possible.