Burkina Faso’s military chief has taken over as head of state in Burkina Faso. This development comes in the wake of violent protests at President Blaise Compaore’s attempt to extend his 27-year rule.
“In line with constitutional measures, and given the power vacuum, I will assume as of today my responsibilities as head of state,” General Honore Traore, who imposed a night curfew and announced the creation of a transitional government on Thursday, said in a statement.
Compaore also issued a statement announcing his resignation shortly after the army announced there would be formation of a transition government. The former President urged elections to be held within 90 days.
“In order to preserve the democratic gains, as well as social peace, I declare a power vacuum to allow the establishment of a transition leading to free and fair elections within a maximum of 90 days,” Compaore said in a statement. “For my part, I think I have fulfilled my duty.”
Protesters on Thursday set fire to parliament and government buildings, in protest against the Compaore’s plans to doctor the constitution. He had earlier acepted not to seek another term in office but that he remained in power he completed his mandate in office.
But opposition, led by Zephirin Diabre urged protesters to occupy public buildings, insisting Mr. Compaore must resign.
Mr. Compaore’s whereabouts remain unclear. Reuters news agency believed he was being escorted by a heavily armed convoy traveling towards the southern town of Po.
Burkina Faso’s colonial master and key ally, France, hailed the resignation, saying it would allow a solution to be found to the crisis.
Blaise Compaore seized power in 1987 after the assassination of the country’s characteristic revolutionary leader. Thomas Sankara, a close friend and colleague of Compaore, was killed by soldiers in unclear circumstances. He remained in power in one of the world’s least developed and poorest countries in the world.
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Another dictator has fallen but when are we going to make our wonderful continent dictator free.
The war is won in the Land of the Upright but the battle continue.
I hope the general will not be like our so-called military with a difference. Of course, they’re different in terms of greed, betrayal and lying.
I don’t think the General will try and mess with the Burkanabes – they have woken up. Ditto the Senegalese – once they stood up to Wade no one can mess with them. I just hope their will be a re-birth of Sankara’s Revolution (and a trial for his killers).
Luntango Suun Gann Gi aka Dida Halake, I would have preferred and hoped that you will encourage Gambians do the same as the Burkinabes and rise up against dictator Yahya Jammeh. You see Luntango, rumour has it that you still harbour a lot of admiration for Jammeh. I believe that you are probably a “misguided” pan-africanist and drawn towards these so called leaders calling themselves Pan Africanist like Jammeh and I also suspect that you have been disappointed by them but too proud to accept your mistake and also condemn them. But please come out and condemn the likes of Jammeh. If you are willing to put a bullet in the head of Nelson Mandela for being a sell out, I would have expected you to pass the death sentence on Jammeh. By the way, I have also observed that you are gradually moving away from secular politics and moving more towards the Caliphate State of Islam and advocating the wearing of the hijab etc and you have also changed your on-line name. Luntango you are rapidly changing your orientation except for your stance on Jammeh
Ha! Ha! Ha! Thank you PKL. A good laugh adds a whole year to one’s life! That said, I wanted Apartheid South Africa to BURN so that a new AZANIA could be re-born – but Mandela preserved Apartheid so that the Boers still rule twenty years later (only allowing Blacks like Ramanposa into the Club now).
I do NOT want the Smiling Coast to burn. My hope, however hopeless, is for The Gambia to find a PEACEFUL transition.
As for Gambians doing what the Burkinabes have done, it is up to the home-based Gambians. No amount of preaching from abroad will make them burn their country. But once they decide that “enough is enough”, it will just take a small spark and no amount of preaching or bullets can stop them (not even my wish for peace – though I suspect that at the moment they too are restrained by their desire for peace).
As for your “suspicions” I have to be honest and tell you that you are CORRECT. Most people who have worked closely with The Gambia’s Chess Grandmaster are left with a grudging admiration. But if you read my piece from three years ago, you will see the precise moment the illusion died. As for the Hijab thing, it has absolutely nothing to do with me! My daughter spent a Summer Holiday with her little Somali friends in the beautiful English Countryside – and came back wanting a Hijab. But she does look beautiful in it.
You are being jovial, but your questions are serious. So I have respectful tried to give a serious answer.
It is unbelievably bizarre that insanity still rules Africa!!!
The fools don’t know, there’s a limited time for all manifested things.
Ah, well, the General is now gone too!
The 2003 Iraqi invasion is prove that democracy can neither be imported nor exported. People have to want to be free. I don’t think Gambians are remotely close to this. Yahya has been testing Gambians and figured out that Gambians will not sacrifice for the common good