Protesters set fire to Burkina Faso's parliament building
Tens of thousands of protesters lit fires inside Burkina Faso's parliament building on Thursday as unrest continues to bubble up in the West African country. The protesters are demanding that Blaise Compaore, who has been Burkina Faso's president for 27 years, quit his job. At least three protesters were shot dead by security forces, Reuters reports, and Compaore has declared a state of emergency.
Compaore, who originally seized power in a coup, sparked protests when he announced plans to alter the country's constitution in order to seek a fifth term. After the protests grew, communications minster Alain Edouard Traore announced that the government had dropped the plan. But the protesters demanded that Compaore step down now, in addition to not seeking another term.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
