Protesters in Burkina Faso Burn Government Buildings

Updated Oct. 30, 2014 10:29 a.m. ET
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Burkina Faso’s capital was plunged into disarray Thursday as protesters burned government buildings and stormed the presidential estate, enraged by President Blaise Compaore ’s plan to extend his 27-year rule of the West African country.

The military was preparing a statement saying that it would hand power to a general, Kwamé Lougué, according to a member of Mr. Compaore’s entourage who is in contact with the army. Mr. Compaore himself was holed up in his presidential palace while Gen. Lougué prepared to address the nation, said the official, who asked not to be identified.

Television footage shown by private channel Africable showed thousands of mostly young men forcing their way into one government building after the next, burning tires and blowing vuvuzelas.

One throng broke into the national assembly, where lawmakers had been expected to approve a bill that would have allowed Mr. Compaore to seek a fifth term in office.

Instead, the crowd set fire to that building before burning down the city hall, the ruling party’s headquarters, and storming the presidency, the British Broadcasting Corp. said.

State TV, state radio, and much of the cellphone network all ceased functioning, residents in the country said.

The scene in the normally sedate, sun-baked capital of Ouagadougou was indicative of how Africa’s increasingly young and urban population is driving out aging leaders such the 63-year-old Mr. Compaore, who has led this landlocked nation since 1987.

As the crowd grew, Mr. Compaore withdrew his bid for the extra time in office, in a statement announced on the government-run News Agency of Burkina. But it wasn’t clear that would be enough to pacify the mob. Shortly after noon, smaller protests erupted 200 miles away in Bobo-Dioulasso, the country’s second-largest city.

“They’re fed up,” said Ismail Dicko, a local travel agent there. “They’re just tired of this system.”

These People mean business, I bet if there are more people like this in the Caribbean alot of things would change...