Burkina Faso Army Chief Declares Self President

Burkina Faso army chief Gen. Honore Nabere Traore has announced that he would assume executive power following the resignation of president Blaise Compaore.



"The National Armed Forces took note of the resignation of the president in accordance with the provisions of the constitution," Traore said in a statement on Friday.



"Given the power vacuum created and considering the urgent need to save the nation… I [declare that I] will assume from this day the responsibilities of the head of state," he added.



The army chief went on to stress his commitment to "proceeding without delay with consultations with all the active forces in the nation for the [transitional] process that will lead to the return of normal constitutional life."



The release came only moments after Compaore had said he was stepping down from the presidency.



"I declare a power vacuum to allow the immediate establishment of a transition leading to free and fair elections within a maximum period of 90 days," Compaore said in a presidential statement.



Compaore later departed for the southeast of the country en route to Ghana, a well-informed source told Anadolu Agency.



The developments came one day after tens of thousands of Burkinabes took to the streets of Ouagadougou to demand Compaore's departure against the backdrop of a proposed constitutional amendment that would have allowed him to seek a third five-year term as president.



The country's current national charter limits the number of presidential terms to two.



Protesters had set fire to the parliament building and the homes of several senior officials in Ouagadougou, according to an Anadolu Agency correspondent.



They also stormed the headquarters of the state television building before marching on the presidential palace. 



At least 30 deaths were reported in Thursday's clashes between security forces and protesters.



Before Compaore stepped down, the government had withdrawn the controversial amendment proposal, but the move had failed to appease protesters who went on a looting spree across the capital.



For several weeks, the 63-year-old leader's bid to remain in power – after 27 years at the helm – has drawn angry reactions from the opposition, civil society and many young people.



More than 60 percent of Burkina Faso's roughly 17 million-strong population is under 25 years old and has never known a president other than Compaore.



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