Burkina Faso President declares state of emergency
Men shout slogans in front of burning cars, near the Burkina Faso's Parliament where demonstrators set fire, on October 30, 2014 in Ouagadougou, as they protest against plans to change the constitution to allow President Blaise Compaore to extend his 27-year rule. PHOTO |AFP
Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore has declared a state of emergency to end violent protests against his 27-year rule.
In a statement read by a presenter at Radio Omega FM, President Compaore also dissolved parliament and called for talks with protesters.
Ouagadougou airport has also been closed.
Angry demonstrators went on the rampage on Thursday in protest at plans to allow President Compaore to extend his 27-year rule.
The protesters set parliament on fire and wreaked havoc across the capital.
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Here's the text of President Compaore's statement announcing the state of emergency:
"A state of emergency is declared across the national territory. The chief of the armed forces is in charge of implementing this decision which enters into effect today. I dissolve the government from today so as to create conditions for change. I'm calling on the leaders of the political opposition to put an end to the protests. I'm pledging from today to open talks with all the actors to end the crisis."
An opposition leader in Burkina Faso said Thursday that the army was "with the people" against the regime of President Blaise Compaore after protesters set light to the parliament building in Ouagadougou.
Benewende Sankara, a leading light in the opposition that is protesting against plans to allow Compaore to extend his 27-year-rule, said he planned to meet retired general Kouame Lougue, a former defence minister and army chief, to discuss the crisis.
"The army is united with the people," he said. "The opposition is demanding the resignation of President Blaise Compaore to enable calm to be restored."
