Burkina Faso parliament burned amid protests over power extension
- 9 years ago
Protesters in Burkina Faso have reportedly set light to the country’s parliament building and ransacked state television on Thursday (October 30), forcing it off the air ahead of a planned vote on a motion to permit President Blaise Compaore to extend his 27-year rule.
State television, before it was forced off-air, read a statement saying the proposal to change the constitution had been withdrawn.
“This is a message signed by the government which informs the population of the cancellation of the motion to change the constitution.”
The unrest on Thursday comes following days of protests against the government’s plans.
The opposition had called for a campaign of civil disobedience across the country.
Compaore’s attempt to remain in power has deeply divided Burkina Faso and drawn criticism from France and the United States, both allies of the Burkinabé government in their fight against al Qaeda-linked groups in the region. The EU said it could jeopardise the country’s stability.
State television, before it was forced off-air, read a statement saying the proposal to change the constitution had been withdrawn.
“This is a message signed by the government which informs the population of the cancellation of the motion to change the constitution.”
The unrest on Thursday comes following days of protests against the government’s plans.
The opposition had called for a campaign of civil disobedience across the country.
Compaore’s attempt to remain in power has deeply divided Burkina Faso and drawn criticism from France and the United States, both allies of the Burkinabé government in their fight against al Qaeda-linked groups in the region. The EU said it could jeopardise the country’s stability.