Former Foreign Minister Michel Kafando was sworn in as Burkina Faso's transitional president on Tuesday. As he took the oath in the capital, Ouagadougou, Kafando pledged to "respect and defend the constitution, the transition charter and laws, and do everything to guarantee justice for all Burkinabes."

Following weeks of uncertainty, the diplomat was chosen from five candidates by a special 23-person committee on Monday and will lead the country until elections next November.

Speaking on Monday, Kafando had described his appointment as "an awesome responsibility."

"I already foresee the pitfalls and the immensity of the task," the 72-year-old told reporters.

Kafando's main priority for the forthcoming year will be to steer the West African nation back to civilian rule following the toppling of its leader of 27 years, Blaise Compaore.

Under the deal, Kafando is barred from standing in elections scheduled for next year, but, in the meantime, he will also be charged with selecting a prime minister, who in turn will appoint head a 25-member transitional government. A civilian will also head a 90-seat parliament, known as the National Transitional Council.

'Eyes are open'

"Our country will never be a banana republic. Our eyes are open and things will never be the same again. We will scrupulously respect the political order in this country," Kafando told around 400 people at a hall in the capital on Tuesday.

Ahead of Kafando's swearing-in ceremony, Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Zida, who seized power after Compaore was toppled, was awarded the country's top honor, the Order of the Grand Cross - an award normally reserved for heads of state. Kafando will officially take over power from Zida on Friday.

Mass unrest broke out in Burkina Faso in late October, after Compaore attempted to change the constitution, which would have allowed him to extend his rule for another term. Protests resulted in scenes of violence as the parliament building was set ablaze and demonstrators attacked other official premises in the capital and other cities.

ksb/mkg (Reuters, AFP)