Advertisement

  1. National

Burkina Faso braced for protests after army seizes power

Opposition parties in Burkina Faso have rejected the military's disputed bids to seize power and confirmed they will stage protests tomorrow following large unrest in the West African country.

The country's top military officials have thrown their support behind presidential guard Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Zida as leader of a transitional government, sidelining an earlier bid by head of the army General Honore Traore, after Blaise Comparore resigned from his presidency.

View all 15 updates ›

Protesters set fire to Burkina Faso parliament building

The president of Burkina Faso has scrapped plans to extend his 27-year rule after protesters set fire to the parliament building.

Anti-government protesters set fire to the parliament building in Ouagadougou, capital of Burkina Faso. Credit: Reuters

Thousands of people have stormed parliament and state television buildings in protest at plans by President Blaise Compaore to change the law to enable him to stand for re-election next year.

Government officials said the proposals had been dropped in the wake of the violence.

At least three protesters have reportedly been shot dead with several others wounded.

France has appealed for calm in its former colony, calling on all parties to show "restraint".

  1. Read more
  2. 15 updates
Burkina Faso braced for protests after army seizes power

More top news