Military Leader Becomes Burkina Faso Prime Minster

In this file photo taken Monday, Nov. 3, 2014, Burkina Faso Lt. Col. Issac Yacouba Zida, during a press briefing in the city of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. (AP Photo/Theo Renaut)

The military colonel who briefly seized control of Burkina Faso after the longtime president stepped down was chosen Wednesday to serve as prime minister, casting doubt that the army will stay out of politics as demanded by the international community.

The selection of Lt. Col. Isaac Yacouba Zida on Wednesday came just a day after the United States and others praised Burkina Faso for pressing ahead with a civilian transitional government. Zida's appointment was read out by decree at the presidential palace by Alain Ouattara, the assistant secretary general of the government.

The military initially had picked Zida to lead Burkina Faso after it swooped in and took control in the power vacuum after longtime President Blaise Compaore's resigned on Oct. 31 after nearly 30 years in power. Compaore's resignation was forced by angry demonstrators who set the parliament on fire to show their displeasure over his attempts to seek another term in office.

The international community urged the military to swiftly hand back power or face crippling economic sanctions. It was not immediately clear whether the African Union would accept an army colonel playing such a pivotal role in the transition.

The move comes a day after longtime diplomat Michel Kafando was sworn in as president of the transitional government to lead the country to elections in a year's time.

Zida, 49, is from the same Mossi ethnic group as Kafando.

The United States had encouraged Kafando "to select individuals to serve in the transitional government who are firmly committed to a democratic, civilian government."