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Burkina Faso president refuses to resign in face of violent protests Burkina Faso president refuses to resign in face of violent protests
(about 2 hours later)
Burkina Faso’s longtime leader has refused to resign in the face of violent protests that posed the greatest threat to his nearly three-decade rule, saying instead he will lead a transitional government after parliament is dissolved. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Burkina Faso on Friday to press President Blaise Compaoré to step down, a day after the army dissolved parliament and announced a transitional government.
Protesters stormed the parliament building and set part of it ablaze in a day of violence around the country on Thursday triggered by a planned parliamentary vote to change the constitution and allow the president, Blaise Compaoré, to rule longer. It was scrapped as the scale of the anger became clear. Compaoré has refused to resign in the face of violent protests that pose the greatest threat to his 27-year rule, saying instead he will lead the transitional government.
Many protesters on the streets of Ouagadougou, the capital, on Friday said they wanted retired General Kouame Lougue, a popular former defence minister who was accused of trying to topple Compaoré in 2004, to take charge on an interim basis amid frustration with the fractious political opposition.
“We want him out of power. He is not our president,” said Ouedrago Yakubo, part of the huge crowd that gathered at the main Place de la Nation and in front of the army headquarters.
The square, the size of a football stadium, and surrounding streets were packed with more protesters than any other day this week, according to a Reuters reporter.
Protesters stormed the parliament building on Thursday and set part of it ablaze in a day of violence around the country triggered by a planned parliamentary vote to change the constitution and allow Compaoré to rule longer. It was scrapped as the scale of the anger became clear.
At least three protesters were shot dead and scores were wounded by security forces, emergency services said. A state of emergency was imposed for several hours but lifted late on Thursday.At least three protesters were shot dead and scores were wounded by security forces, emergency services said. A state of emergency was imposed for several hours but lifted late on Thursday.
Army general Honore Traore, the joint chief of staff, later announced that government and parliament had been dissolved and a new, inclusive government would be named. Army general Honore Traore, the joint chief of staff, later announced that the government and parliament had been dissolved and a new, inclusive government would be named.
After hours of confusion about whether Compaoré would hold on to power or even where he was, the president spoke briefly on television and radio to state he was still in charge and would not step down. “I am available to open discussions with all parties,” he said in a recorded address.After hours of confusion about whether Compaoré would hold on to power or even where he was, the president spoke briefly on television and radio to state he was still in charge and would not step down. “I am available to open discussions with all parties,” he said in a recorded address.
The transitional government will include representatives from all sides and work to hold elections within 12 months. It was unclear if the opposition would agree to join a unity government, and the unrest underscored the threat Compaoré now faces as frustrations mount in one of the world’s poorest countries. The transitional government will include representatives from all sides and work to hold elections within 12 months. It was unclear if the opposition would agree to join a unity government, and the unrest underscored the threat Compaoré faces as frustrations mount in one of the world’s poorest countries.
Compaoré was 36 when he seized power in a coup in which Thomas Sankara, his former friend and one of Africa’s most revered leaders, was ousted and assassinated. Now 63, he is a staunch ally of the US and France but was also notoriously close to Muammar Gaddafi, the former Libyan leader, and ex-Liberian president Charles Taylor, found guilty of aiding and abetting crimes against humanity. Compaoré was 36 when he seized power in a coup in which Thomas Sankara, his former friend and one of Africa’s most revered leaders, was ousted and assassinated. Now 63, he is a staunch ally of the US and France but was also notoriously close to Muammar Gaddafi, the former Libyan leader, and ex-Liberian president Charles Taylor, who was found guilty of aiding and abetting crimes against humanity.
Emile Pargui Pare from the opposition Movement of People for Progress said Thursday was “Burkina Faso’s black spring, like the Arab spring”.Emile Pargui Pare from the opposition Movement of People for Progress said Thursday was “Burkina Faso’s black spring, like the Arab spring”.
A huge crowd converged on the main square in Ouagadougou, the capital, and began marching towards Compaoré’s presidential palace, where security forces reportedly fired live rounds and teargas.
Simon Compaoré, a senior opposition figure not related to the president, told Reuters: “It is absolutely necessary for Blaise Compaoré to leave power and for a transitional government to take over. Talks are taking place with general Lougue … but there is no agreement yet.”Simon Compaoré, a senior opposition figure not related to the president, told Reuters: “It is absolutely necessary for Blaise Compaoré to leave power and for a transitional government to take over. Talks are taking place with general Lougue … but there is no agreement yet.”
Months of tension in the country erupted earlier on Thursday when about 1,500 people broke through a heavy security cordon and laid siege to the parliament building in Ouagadougou despite police firing warning shots in the air. Months of tension in the country erupted on Thursday when about 1,500 people broke through a heavy security cordon and laid siege to the parliament building in Ouagadougou despite police firing warning shots in the air.
Many MPs fled to a nearby hotel. Ablassé Ouedraogo, an opposition member, told the Associated Press: “I was inside when the demonstrators stormed in. I was put in a secure place by security people of the parliament. Now it is difficult to say what happens next but things are out of control because the demonstrators do not listen to anyone.” A huge crowd converged on the main square and began marching towards Compaoré’s presidential palace, where security forces reportedly fired live rounds and teargas.
Black smoke poured out of shattered windows and several offices succumbed to flames, including the speaker’s office, although the main chamber appeared to be unscathed. Protesters looted computers and TVs and wheeled away police motorbikes.
The city hall and headquarters of the ruling Congress for Democracy and Progress party was also gutted by fire. At the headquarters of state television, jubilant protesters posed on the set of the evening news programme.
The ruling party headquarters in Burkina Faso’s second city of Bobo Dioulasso was also torched by demonstrators, according to witnesses.
The White House said on Thursday that it was deeply concerned about the developing crisis and criticised the attempt to alter the constitution. “We believe democratic institutions are strengthened when established rules are adhered to with consistency.”
A French foreign ministry spokesman said: “We deplore the violence that has taken place in and around the national assembly. We call for a return to calm and ask all parties to show restraint.”