This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-29840100

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Burkina Faso president declares state of emergency Burkina Faso army announces emergency measures
(about 1 hour later)
Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore has imposed a state of emergency after violent protests at his bid to extend his 27-year rule. Burkina Faso's military has announced emergency measures - including the formation of a transitional government - after a day of violent protests.
The government and parliament have been dissolved, and an overnight curfew has been declared across the country. Demonstrators angered by President Blaise Compaore's bid to extend his 27-year rule earlier set fire to parliament and government buildings.
Protests to demand Mr Compaore's resignation are continuing in the capital, Ouagadougou. Protesters in the capital, Ouagadougou, are calling for him to resign.
Angry crowds had earlier set fire to the parliament and other government buildings. The emergency moves announced by army chief Gen Honore Traore did not say who would lead the interim administration.
This forced MPs to abandon a vote aimed at allowing Mr Compaore to seek re-election in 2015. At a press conference, he declared the imposition of an overnight curfew, as well as the dissolution of parliament.
'Barbaric escalation' Gen Traore announced that a "transitional body [would] be put in place in consultation with all parties".
The main opposition leader, Zephirin Diabre, told a local radio station that the state of emergency was unacceptable. "A return to the constitutional order is expected in no more than 12 months," he said.
"We are calling on the people to show that they are against it. The resignation of President Blaise Compaore is the only thing that can bring peace to the country," he is quoted as saying. Earlier, President Compaore issued a statement, declaring the emergency and saying that the head of the armed forces was in charge of implementing the decision.
The protests in the capital - the most serious yet against Mr Compaore's rule - forced MPs to abandon a vote aimed at allowing the president to seek re-election in 2015.
The main opposition leader, Zephirin Diabre, told a local radio station the state of emergency was unacceptable.
"We are calling on the people to show that they are against it," he was quoted as saying. "The resignation of President Blaise Compaore is the only thing that can bring peace to the country."
At least one person has been killed in the protests, says BBC Afrique's Yacouba Ouedraogo in the capital.At least one person has been killed in the protests, says BBC Afrique's Yacouba Ouedraogo in the capital.
Mr Diabre said dozens of protesters had been killed across the country by the security forces.Mr Diabre said dozens of protesters had been killed across the country by the security forces.
It was a "barbaric escalation of violence", he said.It was a "barbaric escalation of violence", he said.
The military fired live bullets to try and disperse protesters who had occupied parliament, our correspondent says.The military fired live bullets to try and disperse protesters who had occupied parliament, our correspondent says.
Protesters had also surged towards the presidential palace, and a government helicopter flying overhead fired tear gas at them, Reuters news agency reports. Protesters also surged towards the presidential palace, and a government helicopter flying overhead fired tear gas at them, Reuters news agency reports.
Witnesses say dozens of soldiers have joined the protest in Ouagadougou's main square, including a former defence minister, Gen Kouame Lougue.Witnesses say dozens of soldiers have joined the protest in Ouagadougou's main square, including a former defence minister, Gen Kouame Lougue.
Protesters are demanding his installation as president, our reporter says.Protesters are demanding his installation as president, our reporter says.
'TV off air''TV off air'
The city hall, the homes of MPs, and an upmarket hotel in Ouagadougou were also set ablaze.The city hall, the homes of MPs, and an upmarket hotel in Ouagadougou were also set ablaze.
Similar protests hit the south-western city of Bobo Dioulasso, and other towns in the poor West African state.Similar protests hit the south-western city of Bobo Dioulasso, and other towns in the poor West African state.
Blaise CompaoreBlaise Compaore
State television went off air after protesters stormed the building housing it and ransacked it.State television went off air after protesters stormed the building housing it and ransacked it.
This is one of the most serious protests against Mr Compaore's rule. "A state of emergency is declared across the national territory," the president's statement said, as quoted by Reuters.
"A state of emergency is declared across the national territory. The chief of the armed forces is in charge of implementing this decision which enters into effect today," the president's statement said, Reuters reports. "The chief of the armed forces is in charge of implementing this decision which enters into effect today.
"I dissolve the government from today so as to create conditions for change. I'm calling on the leaders of the political opposition to put an end to the protests. I'm pledging from today to open talks with all the actors to end the crisis," it added. "I dissolve the government from today so as to create conditions for change. I'm calling on the leaders of the political opposition to put an end to the protests. I'm pledging from today to open talks with all the actors to end the crisis."
UN chief Ban Ki-moon's special envoy for West Africa, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, will fly to Burkina Faso on Friday in an attempt to ease the crisis, the UN said in a statement. UN chief Ban Ki-moon's special envoy for West Africa, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, will fly to Burkina Faso on Friday in an attempt to ease the crisis, the UN said in a statement.
Mr Compaore first took power in a coup in 1987, and has won four disputed elections since then.Mr Compaore first took power in a coup in 1987, and has won four disputed elections since then.
The protests forced the government to suspend Thursday's parliamentary vote on a constitutional amendment that would have lifted the limit on presidential terms so that Mr Compaore could run for office again in 2015.The protests forced the government to suspend Thursday's parliamentary vote on a constitutional amendment that would have lifted the limit on presidential terms so that Mr Compaore could run for office again in 2015.
Mr Compaore is a staunch ally of the US and France, which uses Burkina Faso as a base for military operations against militant Islamists in the Sahel region.Mr Compaore is a staunch ally of the US and France, which uses Burkina Faso as a base for military operations against militant Islamists in the Sahel region.