Home » Posts tagged 'burkina faso'
Tag Archives: burkina faso
Thousands protest Burkina Faso army’s power grab | Reuters
Thousands protest Burkina Faso army’s power grab | Reuters.
(Reuters) – Thousands gathered on Sunday in the center of Burkina Faso’s capital to denounce what they called a military coup, two days after mass protests forced President Blaise Compaore to resign.
Compaore’s 27 years in charge of the landlocked West African country ended on Friday when his bid to change the constitution to extend his rule was thwarted.
A power struggle ensued and on Saturday Presidential Guard commander Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Zida was appointed as transitional leader, superseding an earlier claim by the army chief of staff.
In Ouagadougou’s Place de La Nation on Sunday, opposition leaders denounced the power grab to the assembled crowds, while a U.N. official warned of possible sanctions if Zida obstructed a return to civilian rule.
The central square was the site of the violent demonstrations against Compaore, in which three people were killed and the parliament set ablaze.
…click on the above link to read the rest of the article…
Army officer takes charge in Burkina Faso, ousting general | Reuters
Army officer takes charge in Burkina Faso, ousting general | Reuters.
(Reuters) – An officer in Burkina Faso’s presidential guard seized power on Saturday promising to lead the West African country to elections after the resignation of longtime President Blaise Compaore, in an apparent putsch against the military chief of staff.
Compaore stepped down on Friday after two days of mass protests against his attempts to change the constitution to extend his 27-year rule. At least three people were killed after protesters stormed the parliament building and set it on fire.
Army chief of staff General Honore Traore, a Compaore loyalist, had quickly announced on Friday he would take over the presidency on a transitional basis, but this was rejected by the demonstrators and a number of junior officers.
After reports of heavy gunfire near the presidential palace early on Saturday, Lieutenant Colonel Issaac Zida, the operational commander of the elite presidential guard, announced on radio that he was taking power.
…click on the above link to read the rest of the article…
Burkina Faso president refuses to step down – Africa – Al Jazeera English
Burkina Faso president refuses to step down – Africa – Al Jazeera English.
Burkina Faso’s president has refused to resign in the face of violent protests that posed the greatest threat yet to his 27-year rule, saying instead he will lead a transitional government after parliament is dissolved.
Protesters stormed the parliament building in the capital city of Ougadougou on Thursday and set part of it ablaze in a day of violence around the country aimed at stopping a parliamentary vote that would have allowed President Blaise Compaore to seek a fifth term in office.
In a concession to the protesters, the government withdrew the bill from consideration. But the move did not calm protesters, and General Honore Traore, the army’s joint chief of staff, later announced that the government and parliament had been dissolved and a new, inclusive government would be named.
However, the General did not spell out who would lead the transitional government.
…click on the above link to read the rest of the article…
