Must have been a U.S.-supported effort:
"Gunfire breaks out in Burkina Faso capital" by Brahima Ouedraogo | Associated Press November 03, 2014
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso — Gunfire erupted outside the headquarters of state television in Burkina Faso on Sunday as an opposition politician tried to announce she was in control of the West African country, days after the longtime president was forced out.
At least one person was killed in the melee, according to witnesses who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The developments underscored the uncertainty about who was in charge of Burkina Faso after president Blaise Compaore resigned Friday after 27 years in power and fled with his family to Ivory Coast amid violent protests seeking his ouster.
About 1,000 people had gathered Sunday afternoon at the Place de Nation in Burkina Faso’s capital to demand a democratic transition to civilian rule a day after the military announced that a lieutenant colonel would serve as interim leader until elections could be held.
Opposition politician Saran Sereme and her supporters then went to the headquarters of state television, where witnesses said she planned to declare herself the interim president.
Her efforts were blocked, however, when army General Kwame Lougue showed up at the studios and entered without speaking to journalists, who were waiting for the announcement.
In the aftermath of the gunfire, the military made a show of force by deploying armored vehicles along all of the avenues leading to the national television and radio station offices, witnesses said.
The bid for power already has caused confusion and chaos: Two different military officials had declared themselves in charge before the army confirmed Saturday that Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Yacouba Zida was the transitional leader.
Related: Coup leader in Burkina Faso received U.S. military training
That settles that.
Even within the opposition, divisions were emerging. Some activists called Sunday for an inclusive transition while others questioned the legitimacy of Zida’s rule.
Stanislas Benewinde Sankara, the leader of one opposition party, called for the dismissal of Zida’s government.
‘‘The army cannot lead us. They have disqualified themselves,’’ said Sankara, who is of no relation to the late slain Burkinabe leader with the same name. The United States and the African Union also have condemned the power grab by the military.
Sure they did.
‘‘We call on the military to immediately transfer power to civilian authorities,’’ said State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki. ‘‘We urge civilian leadership to be guided by the spirit of the constitution of Burkina Faso and to move immediately towards free and fair presidential elections.’’
African Union chairwoman Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma called for a ‘‘civilian-led transition that would culminate, as soon as possible, in the holding of free, fair, and transparent elections.’’
‘‘She stresses the duty and obligation of the defense and security forces to place themselves at the disposal of the civilian authorities who should lead the transition and to act in a republican spirit,’’ read a statement from her office.
Burkina Faso, though mired in poverty, had long been a country of stability in politically violatile West Africa. Its name, which combines two of the country’s native languages, means the “land of the upright people.’’
Sort of a sad statement, huh?
The country, formerly known as Upper Volta, has played an important role in efforts by the United States and France to curb militants in the region linked to Al Qaeda.
That's why there is concern.
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"Burkina Faso military promises to hand over power" Associated Press November 04, 2014
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso — Burkina Faso’s military said Monday it will hand power over to a transitional government under a leader chosen by all sectors of society, to fill the vacuum since long-time President Blaise Compaore resigned last week and fled amid violent protests.
Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Yacouba Zida met with diplomats and African leaders and said the country will be led by ‘‘a transitional body within the constitutional framework.’’ He provided no timetable.
The African Union’s Peace and Security Council decided on Monday to give Burkina Faso’s new leaders two weeks to return the country to constitutional rule and hinted that sanctions could be forthcoming, according to the AU’s Twitter account.
The AU expressed backing for the people of Burkina Faso’s ‘‘aspiration for greater democracy.’’
Ouagadougou, the capital, was calm Monday and soldiers were off the streets following days of unrest. Demonstrators set the legislature ablaze Thursday to prevent a vote to allow Compaore to seek another term of office. Compaore had been in power 27 years.
On Sunday, protesters demanded that the military cede power after soldiers named Zida head of a transitional government.
The opposition now faces a dilemma. According to the constitution, the leader of the House of Assembly becomes the transitional leader in the absence of a president. But that man is a close ally of Compaore and his deputy in the ousted ruling party.
He and about 30 other legislators have sought safety at the main police station in Ouagadougou.
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"African Union envoy meets Burkina Faso opposition" Associated Press November 05, 2014
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso — International envoys tried to resolve Burkina Faso’s political crisis Tuesday, with the specter of a power vacuum looming after the longtime president fled last week.
Opposition protesters — who said 27 years in power was enough — forced President Blaise Compaore to resign and flee to Ivory Coast. Confusion ensued, with different factions of the military and the civilian opposition vying for control.
Order has been restored in Ouagadougou, the capital, with business appearing to return to normal and no unusual presence of police or military.
The military appears to be in charge and has designated Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Zida as the transitional leader. The opposition has dropped demands that the military surrender power and is calling for talks for a solution.
The U.S. has taken over.
But the African Union and others in the international community have held a firmer line. The African Union, which represents 53 countries, gave the West African country two weeks to return to constitutional rule or face sanctions.
Its envoy, former prime minister Edem Kodjo of Togo, met Tuesday with opposition leaders. After the meeting, opposition leader Zephirin Diabre indicated there might be wiggle room in the ultimatum.
‘‘It’s clear that this is a situation where political dialogue should be allowed to take into account the exceptional nature of this particular situation,’’ he said. ‘‘We’ll work to respect the deadline. If we can’t, they’ll understand.’’
The UN secretary general’s representative for West Africa, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, has echoed the AU’s goal, saying he and other envoys are working to ‘‘quickly find a solution that is consistent’’ with the national constitution.
The presidents of Nigeria, Senegal, and Ghana are expected to arrive Wednesday to participate in talks.
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"African leaders press Burkina Faso talks" New York Times November 07, 2014
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso — Amid rancorous discussion brokered by three African presidents, political and military leaders in Burkina Faso found common ground but failed to name a civilian to lead a transition to democracy after the resignation of President Blaise Compaoré.
According to a statement from the leaders of Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal, the country’s fractious contenders have agreed to the outlines of a plan — intended in part to avert African Union and US sanctions — to restore the constitution and begin a path to elections by November of next year.
The negotiations in Ouagadougou, the capital, followed violent protests last week that led to Compaoré’s exit. Thousands of protesters surged in the city, setting fire to buildings including Parliament.
In the chaos of Compaoré’s exit, the military named a presidential guard officer, Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Zida, as the country’s interim leader.
The three African presidents — John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria, and Macky Sall of Senegal — consulted with traditional leaders, including religious and opposition groups, and the military, according to a statement.
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