Burkina Faso’s army dissolves parliament after day of unrest

Burkina Faso’s military dissolved parliament and announced a transitional government today after violent protests against President Blaise Compaore, but it was not immediately clear who was in charge.

Army chief General Honore Traore said the new government would be installed after consultation with all political parties and would lead the country to an election within 12 months. He also announced a curfew from 7pm until 6am.

The move came after tens of thousands of angry protesters packed the streets of Ouagadougou to demand Mr Compaore’s departure, storming parliament and setting it on fire and ransacking state television. At least three protesters were shot dead and scores wounded when security forces opened fire on the crowd.
“Given the need preserve the country from chaos and preserve national unity . . . the National Assembly is dissolved, the government is dissolved,” Gen Traore told a news conference.

However, he declined to say whether Mr Compaore, whose attempt to extend his 27-year rule has sparked months of tension in the landlocked country, remained the head of state.

Diplomatic pressure

Regional west African bloc ECOWAS had said earlier today that it would not accept any party seizing power through non-constitutional means – suggesting diplomatic pressure to leave Mr Compaore in place.

Before the military’s announcement, the president had issued a statement announcing a state of emergency to be enforced by the army and calling for talks with the opposition.

The protests were sparked by the government’s attempt to push a constitutional change through parliament to allow the 63-year-old president to seek re-election next year. Large protests also erupted in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina’s second biggest town, and Ouahigouya, in the north.

In the capital, the crowd faced off with security forces outside the presidential palace in a tense standoff that lasted several hours as opposition leaders held talks with senior military officials in an attempt to ease Mr Compaore from power. Both opposition leaders and protesters on the streets have made it plain they would not allow any role for Mr Compaore.

Hundreds of angry protesters gathered outside the headquarters of the armed forces following the president’s statement, many of them shouting “Blaise Leave” and “No More Blaise”. “We want Blaise Compaore to leave. We want change,” said George Sawadogo, a 23-year-old student.

Closely watched

The departure of Mr Compaore, a close military ally of the United States and former colonial power France, would be closely watched by other governments across west and central Africa, where a number of long-serving leaders are reaching the end of their constitutional terms.

Burkina Faso is one of the world’s poorest nations but has positioned itself as a mediator in regional crises. It is also a key ally in western operations against al Qaeda-linked groups in west Africa.

Amid uncertainty over how the army’s announcement would be received abroad, Ghana’s foreign minister Hanna Tetteh said in a tweet the country’s embassy in Burkina confirmed a military takeover of power. She declined to provide further details.

White House spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan had earlier said in a statement that the United States was deeply concerned by the deteriorating situation in Burkina Faso and called on all parties to end the violence and respect democratic norms.

France, which has a special forces base there that conducts operations across the Sahel, also appealed for restraint by all sides. Its embassy had held talks with opposition leaders today.

Mr Compaore has ruled the nation with a firm grip but has faced increasing criticism in recent years, including defections by members of his party. He weathered a military and popular uprising in 2011 thanks to the support of his elite presidential guard.

But diplomatic pressure has mounted over the past year for Mr Compaore to step down in 2015. – (Reuters)