Army Chief Takes Power in Burkina Faso
by VOA News October 31, 2014
Burkina Faso's army chief announced he had taken power in the country following the resignation of longtime president Blaise Compaore.
General Honore Traore told reporters in Ouagadougou Friday that he is taking on 'the responsibilities as head of state.'
Traore said his administration will begin talks with political stakeholders immediately with a view to restoring 'normal constitutional order.'
The general first exerted power on Thursday, when he announced plans for a transitional government and ordered a dusk-to-dawn curfew after violent protests in the capital against Compaore.
Local media broadcast a resignation statement in which Compaore called for a 90-day transition leading to 'free and transparent' elections.
Former colonial power France quickly said it welcomes the resignation.
It called for calm in the West African nation and said it supports the 'rapid holding of democratic elections.'
Armed convoy
Burkina24 television reported that the former president had left his palace in a heavily armed convoy.
Compaore ruled Burkina Faso for 27 years after seizing power in a 1987 coup.
Unrest broke out Thursday as lawmakers prepared to vote on a constitutional amendment that would have allowed him to run for another term.
The government withdrew the amendment after hundreds of protesters stormed and set fire to the parliament building.
More protesters gathered in the streets of Ouagadougou Friday but there was no repeat of Thursday's violence. They cheered the news of Compaore's resignation.
Some material for this report came from Reuters.
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