President of Burkina Faso refuses to step down

Protesters call for the resignation of President Blaise Campaore

After a day of violent protests and military interventions in the West African country, President Campaore has rejected calls for his resignation. The president has refused to step down, instead stating that he will stay on as head of a military-backed transitional government, at least until after elections.

The president's declaration comes as opposition leaders demand his resignation after a day of violent protests swept the nation that saw the army step into a political role.

Opposition leaders say Campaore’s resignation was "non-negotiable" and have labelled the army intervention as a "coup".

Mass demonstrations took place on Thursday, as anti-government protesters set fire to the Burkina Faso parliament, demanding that a proposed vote for constitutional amendments to allow Campaore to stand for reelection, potentially extending his 27-year rule, be abandoned.

Police attacked the protesters with tear gas, but were unable to stop them. Three were shot dead and dozens others wounded. The state television was also ransacked and forced off air.

"We want Blaise Compaore to leave. We want change," George Sawadogo, a 23-year-old student told Reuters news agency.

In response, the president, who came to power in a coup in 1987 that toppled the socialist leader Thomas Sankara, has put a number of measures in place to safe-guard his position. He has imposed an overnight curfew, declared a state of siege, and has dissolved the national assembly.

The head of Burkina Faso's armed forces announced the creation of a national transitional government to last a maximum of 12 months.

"A transitional body will be put in place in consultation with all parties. A return to the constitutional order is expected in no more than 12 months," General Honore Traore told a news conference after a day of violent protests in the capital.

However, Compaore, a keen U.S. ally, claimed on Thursday that he was open to dialogue, and that once the 12 month transitional government period was over, democratic elections could take place.

"I have heard the message, understood it and taken note of strong desire for change," Compaore said in a statement broadcast on BF1 TV. "I am available to open talks on a transitional period at the end of which I will hand over power to the democratically elected president."

The long-term premier took power after Thomas Sankara, known as Africa's answer to Che Guevarra, was killed in unexplained circumstances by a group of soldiers in 1987. Campaore had served under the socialist hero as minister of state to the presidency.

Protesters in the streets of the capital city Ouagadougou showed their commitment to the legacy of the assassinated leader, waving photographs of Sankara and signs reading, "Sankara look at your sons. We are fighting your fight."

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