Compaore No Longer Burkina Faso President: Opposition

Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore has bowed to massive street protests calling on him to resign and relinquished authority, opposition leader Herve Ouattara said Friday.



"[Army Chief-of-Staff] Gen. Honore Traore Nabere will serve as interim president," Ouattara said in exclusive statements to Anadolu Agency.



However, he added, protesters wanted retired general Kouame Lougue – who joined the protests on Thursday – to take the helm during the transitional period.



According to the opposition leader, a press conference will be convened shortly at the army's General Staff to provide further details.



On Thursday, tens of thousands of Burkinabes took to the streets of capital Ouagadougou to demand Compaore's resignation 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 charter limits the number of presidential terms to two.



Protesters 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 national television building before marching on the presidential palace. 



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



Before Compaore stepped down, the government had withdrawn the controversial amendment proposal, but the move failed to appease protesters who went on a looting spree across the capital.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 17 million-strong population is under 25 years old and has never known a president other than Compaore.



By Boukary Ouadraogo



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