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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Burkina Faso's revolution 2.0 | Burkina Faso's revolution 2.0 |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| After two days of protests in Burkina Faso the president, Blaise Compaoré, has reportedly abandoned plans to amend the constitution to allow himself a further three terms in office. | After two days of protests in Burkina Faso the president, Blaise Compaoré, has reportedly abandoned plans to amend the constitution to allow himself a further three terms in office. |
| Followed on Twitter by journalists and protestors, and with live reports streaming on Radio Omega FM Ouaga’s online station, this “revolution 2.0” has been called a victory by the Burkinabè opposition. | Followed on Twitter by journalists and protestors, and with live reports streaming on Radio Omega FM Ouaga’s online station, this “revolution 2.0” has been called a victory by the Burkinabè opposition. |
| Communications minister, Alain Edouard Traore, announced the move in a hurried statement after the parliament, national TV and radio buildings were stormed, and statues were toppled in the country’s second largest city, Bobo Dioulasso. | Communications minister, Alain Edouard Traore, announced the move in a hurried statement after the parliament, national TV and radio buildings were stormed, and statues were toppled in the country’s second largest city, Bobo Dioulasso. |
| The Government informs the entire population of the cancellation of the examination of the draft law amending the Constitution. #cnn | The Government informs the entire population of the cancellation of the examination of the draft law amending the Constitution. #cnn |
| At 12.15pm, Compaoré took to Twitter to appeal for “calm and serenity” as protests continued to rage outside government buildings. | At 12.15pm, Compaoré took to Twitter to appeal for “calm and serenity” as protests continued to rage outside government buildings. |
| Chers Compatriotes Burkinabè, je lance un appel au calme et la sérénité. | Chers Compatriotes Burkinabè, je lance un appel au calme et la sérénité. |
| BC. | BC. |
| #Bukina #bf226 #lwili #faso | #Bukina #bf226 #lwili #faso |
| French media also reported that the president’s brother was arrested as he tried to flee the country, and statements by the army’s Général Kouamé Lougué have fuelled speculation that the army are poised to remove Compaoré from power. | French media also reported that the president’s brother was arrested as he tried to flee the country, and statements by the army’s Général Kouamé Lougué have fuelled speculation that the army are poised to remove Compaoré from power. |
| At 1.40pm Reuters photojournalist Joe Penney tweeted: “People marching towards presidency led by General Kwamé Lougé. About to meet presidential guard loyal to Blaise. Final assault #burkina.” | At 1.40pm Reuters photojournalist Joe Penney tweeted: “People marching towards presidency led by General Kwamé Lougé. About to meet presidential guard loyal to Blaise. Final assault #burkina.” |
| #Burkina is the army stepping in to topple Compaore, confusing reports | #Burkina is the army stepping in to topple Compaore, confusing reports |
| New sheriff in town? #Burkina Général Kwamé #Lougué #Lwili pic.twitter.com/Qw7l3hHkez | New sheriff in town? #Burkina Général Kwamé #Lougué #Lwili pic.twitter.com/Qw7l3hHkez |
| Compaoré, 63, has been president for 27 years since seizing power in a military coup in 1987. | Compaoré, 63, has been president for 27 years since seizing power in a military coup in 1987. |
| Despite already being reported as a victory for the Burkinabè people against Compaoré’s “constitutional coup d’etat”, protesters say they continue to face rounds of live ammunition from the security forces even after the announcement, as governments buildings continue to burn: | Despite already being reported as a victory for the Burkinabè people against Compaoré’s “constitutional coup d’etat”, protesters say they continue to face rounds of live ammunition from the security forces even after the announcement, as governments buildings continue to burn: |
| #lwili shots ring out around presidential palace in Ouaga as protests continue. #BurkinaFaso | #lwili shots ring out around presidential palace in Ouaga as protests continue. #BurkinaFaso |
| Saw miltary firing on protestors in front of Francois compaores house and in front of the presidency #burkina #lwili | Saw miltary firing on protestors in front of Francois compaores house and in front of the presidency #burkina #lwili |
| Burkina 19 confirmed dead. President Blaise Compaore reported left his official residence. Airport closed, flights cancelled- via #Lwili | Burkina 19 confirmed dead. President Blaise Compaore reported left his official residence. Airport closed, flights cancelled- via #Lwili |
| On Twitter, journalists and protesters have been following events using the #lwili hashtag, named after the traditional Burkinabè Lwili Peendé cloth being worn by many in the protests. | On Twitter, journalists and protesters have been following events using the #lwili hashtag, named after the traditional Burkinabè Lwili Peendé cloth being worn by many in the protests. |
| Now dubbed Burkina’s “revolution 2.0”, a reference also to the country’s popular movement led by Thomas Sankara in 1983, the announcement suggests a promising break with the trend set by various African rulers finding elasticity in constitutional limits, including Chad, Gabon, Guinea, Namibia, Togo and Uganda. | Now dubbed Burkina’s “revolution 2.0”, a reference also to the country’s popular movement led by Thomas Sankara in 1983, the announcement suggests a promising break with the trend set by various African rulers finding elasticity in constitutional limits, including Chad, Gabon, Guinea, Namibia, Togo and Uganda. |
| Commentators have also been linking Burkina Faso’s protests to a wider recent history of revolution and unrest. Opposition activist Emile Pargui Pare told the AFP news agency: “October 30 is Burkina Faso’s Black Spring, like the Arab Spring.” | Commentators have also been linking Burkina Faso’s protests to a wider recent history of revolution and unrest. Opposition activist Emile Pargui Pare told the AFP news agency: “October 30 is Burkina Faso’s Black Spring, like the Arab Spring.” |
| In Ukraine it took 4 months for a revolt to gain momentum. In Egypt three weeks. In Burkina Faso just 3 days. #lwili | In Ukraine it took 4 months for a revolt to gain momentum. In Egypt three weeks. In Burkina Faso just 3 days. #lwili |
| Updates | |
| Reports continue of fighting in the capital, and images emerge from inside the state TV station, stormed by protesters earlier today. | |
| Général Kouamé Lougué has also delayed his statement by over two hours, leaving protestors and observers unsure of the military’s aims. | |
| If Blaise does go, look forward to how it's presented + how nimbly Paris and Washington dance around usage of word 'coup' #BurkinaFaso | |
| #Burkina - COS General Honore #Traore still not spoken because of a reported "disagreement" between him and General Kwame #Lougue #Lwili | |
| Authorities at Dakar airport have also apparently confirmed that Compaoré arrived in Senegal this afternoon after fleeing the country. |