A day after protesters in Burkina Faso set fire to key government buildings to protest a plan to extend the rule of President Blaise Campaore, hundreds gathered again in an effort to force the long-time leader from office.
As we reported on Thursday, thousands of protesters in the capital Ouagadougou broke through police lines and surged into the country's parliament, setting it on fire ahead of a vote that would have changed the constitution to allow Campaore, who seized power in a coup 27 years ago, to continue his rule over the West African country.
The Associated Press writes:
"In response to the chaos, a brief period of martial law was imposed during which the military announced the dissolution of parliament and promised an interim government that would include all parties. Compaore later said he would lead that transitional government until elections next year and then relinquish power."But that concession may not be enough to satisfy the opposition in this West African country. Protesters were gathering again Friday morning in a central square in the capital, but few security forces could be seen."
According to The New York Times:
"It was unclear early on Friday whether the president's offer of negotiations would avert another day of protests representing the most serious challenge to his authority since he seized power in a military coup in 1987. "Hundreds of protesters gathered in central Ouagadougou, the capital, on Friday, and the opposition promised to offer its response to the president's move at a news conference."
The BBC says: "The creation of a transitional government to serve until 2015 elections was announced by army chief Gen Honore Traore, who said it would "be put in place in consultation with all parties.'"
"He also declared the dissolution of parliament. "UN chief Ban Ki-moon's special envoy for West Africa, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, is expected in Burkina Faso to try to ease the crisis, the UN said."
Burkina Faso's opposition has renewed its call for Compaore to step down and a statement by opposition leader Zephirin Diabre urged protesters to occupy public spaces, the BBC says.
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