Hundreds of protesters marched in the capital of Burkina Faso during the whole week demanding that authoritarian President Blaise Compaore steps down, a man that hold a firm fist on the country for 27 years. The upraising came as a result of Campaore trying to enact a new law in the parliament to allow him seek another term in next year’s elections.
Following the mass protests, the military dissolved parliament and announced a transitional government to calm down the situation.
“We don’t want him. We want him out of power. He is not our president,” demonstrator Ouedrago Yakubo said. The demonstrators gathered at the main Place de la Nation and in front of the army headquarters, Reuters reported.
Compaore, a close ally of former colonial power France who seized power in a coup in 1987, said late on Thursday he would stay in office at the head of a transitional government until after elections.
His announcement came after the head of the armed forces, General Honore Traore, said he would hold talks with all political parties to create an interim government to take the West African country to democratic elections within a year.
Benewende Sankara, a prominent opposition member, said Troare’s statement amounted to a military coup.
“The departure of Compaore is a condition and non negotiable. For 27 years, Compaore has tricked us. Even now he is trying to fool us and trick the people,” he told RFI radio.
At least three protesters were shot dead and scores wounded in clashes with security forces on Thursday as demonstrators attacked symbols of Compaore’s long rule, looted and set fire to parliament and ransacked state television.
