Protesters Storm Burkina Faso Parliament
by VOA News October 30, 2014
Burkina Faso's government has abandoned an attempt to extend presidential term limits, after protesters attacked parliament, ransacked other buildings in the capital and marched on the presidential palace.
Burkina Faso's military is due to make a statement on unrest in the capital, Ouagadougou.
The whereabouts of longtime President Blaise Compaore were unclear as reporters awaited a news conference at military headquarters in Ouagadougou.
VOA has confirmed reports that the city's airport is shut down.
The chaos broke out Thursday morning as lawmakers prepared to vote on a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow Compaore, who has ruled the country since 1987, to seek another term in next year's election.
The government announced it would withdraw the amendment soon after hundreds of demonstrators pushed their way past tear gas, water cannon and barricades and stormed the parliament building.
They ransacked offices, set fire to the building and to cars outside, and stole computers, the French news agency AFP reported.
Controversial legislation dropped
Alain Edouard Traore, communications minister, later said the government had dropped the proposal to amend a two-term limit on the presidential mandate.
State television, which also made that announcement, went off the air a short time later, as protesters took over the building.
Government officials said there were also large-scale protests in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina's second biggest town, and Ouahigouya, to the north.
A reporter for VOA, Zoumana Wonogo, said he saw members of the presidential guard fire into the air in an effort to stop protesters from advancing toward the presidential palace. One man was killed.
The ruling party has been pushing for months to amend the constitution to eliminate a two-term limit for presidents that went into effect in 2000.
Opposition parties have objected to the ruling party's efforts, and had called on people to take the streets starting a 5 a.m. Thursday to block off access to the National Assembly.
Opposition leader Zephirin Diabre said on his Twitter feed Thursday that the opposition is against a coup in Burkina Faso. Diabre said, 'We do not endorse the seizure of power by force. We just want respect for democracy.'
Compaore, 63, who has ruled Burkina Faso since seizing power in a 1987 coup, is a key ally for former colonial power France.
France has thousands of troops fighting al-Qaida-linked Islamists in the region as well as about 3,600 nationals in Burkina Faso. France also operates a special forces base in Burkina Faso that regularly launches operations in the Sahel-Sahara region.
France, US reaction
On Thursday, France called for calm in Burkina Faso after protesters stormed the parliament building and state television offices.
At least three protesters were shot dead and several others wounded in the violence, Reuters reported.
On Tuesday, France called on Compaore to adhere to the African Union charter, which bans constitutional revisions aimed at preventing political change.
President Francois Hollande had written to Compaore earlier this month, outlining that position.
The U.S. Embassy in Burkina Faso has told staff members to shelter in place and is urging Americans in the country to avoid protests or large gatherings.
On Thursday, the U.S. State Department expressed concern about the constitutional amendment. It urged Burkina Faso's people to shun violence and debate the issue in a 'peaceful and inclusive' manner.
National Security Council spokesperson Bernadette Meehan also issued a statement regarding the situation in Burkina Faso.
"The United States is deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in Burkina Faso resulting from efforts to amend the constitution to enable the incumbent head of state to seek another term after 27 years in office," the statement read.
"We believe democratic institutions are strengthened when established rules are adhered to with consistency. We call on all parties, including the security forces, to end the violence and return to a peaceful process to create a future for Burkina Faso that will build on Burkina Faso's hard-won democratic gains,' Meehan said in the statement.
Mass rallies
On Wednesday, several thousand protesters had marched through the capital, a day after street battles erupted during a mass rally by hundreds of thousands of people.
"We did this because Blaise was trying to stay too long. We are tired of him," said Seydou Kabre, a protester in the crowd headed to the prime minister's office. "We want a change. He must go!"
The situation is being closely watched across Africa where at least four heads of state are preparing or considering similar changes to stay in power, from Burundi to Benin and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
VOA's Zoumana Wonogo contributed to this report from Ouagadougou. Some material for this report came from Reuters and AFP.
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