OUAGADOUGOU: Burkina Faso's constitutional court swore in Roch Marc Kabore as President on Tuesday, making the former Prime minister the country's first new leader in decades following his election last month. The former banker was sworn in in front of thousands of cheering supporters. Several African heads of state attended Mr Kabore's inauguration in the capital, Ouagadougou.

Mr Kabore said he would defend the constitution and "ensure justice for all".

The swearing completes a transition from the 2014 overthrow of longtime ruler Blaise Compaore in the troubled west African country. Kabore, 58, Burkina Faso’s first new leader in almost three decades, embarks on the first of two possible five-year terms. Mr Kabore was an ally of Mr Compaore before the two fell out. He once served as Mr Compoare's prime minister, but gained popularity after opposing his bid to change the constitution and run for a third term.

Mr Compaore fled to Ivory Coast after being forced out of office.

The swearing-in marks the end of an interim government that held power in the wake of Compaore's overthrow. Soldiers from the elite presidential guard staged a short-lived coup in September in which they took the transitional president hostage.

Authorities arrested around 20 soldiers for plotting to free from prison a prominent general, Gilbert Diendere, charged with staging that coup, the transitional government said on Sunday.

Africa Team