And the sudden rush of coverage! Must be serious.
"Burkina Faso leader resigns after protests" by Hervé Taoko and Alan Cowell | New York Times November 01, 2014
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso — Blaise Compaoré, president of the poor, landlocked nation Burkina Faso, announced Friday that he had resigned, forced from office by violent street protests and the burning of the Parliament building 27 years after he seized power as an army captain in a coup.
Another stale U.S.-supported dictator?
His place was immediately taken by General Honoré Nabéré Traoré, the chief of staff of Burkina Faso’s armed forces, who said at a news conference that he would “assume, as of this day, the responsibilities of head of state.”
He said he was acting to fill the power vacuum left by the president’s departure and to “save the life of the nation.”
We will see if that is true from world reaction (if there is one).
Even as Compaoré’s resignation was broadcast, there were reports that he was seeking to flee the country in a heavily armed convoy.
The chaotic political demise of Compaoré, 63, who provoked a storm of dissent over manipulations to extend his rule indefinitely, closed the book on one of Africa’s most enduring rulers. He signaled few public regrets as he left.
“For my part, I believe, I have fulfilled my duty, my only concern being the higher interest of the nation,” he said in a resignation statement that called for elections within 90 days.
With a mix of guile, charm, and impunity, Compaoré, a onetime disciple of Libyan leader Moammar Khadafy who was known as “handsome Blaise,” had built himself into a regional power broker. His influence far outweighed the strength of his nation, where more than half the youthful population has known no other leader.
Oh, he was a friend of Khadafy. U.S. must have wanted him out then, maybe.
Events here were closely watched across West Africa and elsewhere, particularly in the handful of countries whose leaders are reported to be considering measures to extend their tenure. Some analysts said events in Burkina Faso, which means “Land of Upright People,” may be taken as a warning of the perils of such action.
Residents reported that a convoy carrying the president was seen leaving the capital, Ouagadougou, and heading south toward Po, near the border with Ghana. Some reports said barricades had been thrown up to stop him.
It was not immediately clear how popular Traoré’s declaration of power would be, since he is was regarded as close to Compaoré. Many protesters had said they favored the former defense minister, retired General Kouame Lougué, to oversee a transition to new elections.
A Yemen-like situation where U.S. eases out longtime ally to be replaced by somewhat fresh face, or was Lougue their man?
The announcement from Compaoré came on the fourth day of turmoil in Ouagadougou, as military commanders met privately and demonstrators urged them to oust the president.
His departure was the culmination of 24 hours of frantic maneuvering. Compaoré declared martial law for a few hours Thursday, then seemed to relent, offering negotiations on a transitional government and rescinding his martial law decree.
At one point, Traoré announced plans to form an interim authority leading to elections in a year’s time.
Overnight, the president said he had “heard the message” from the protesters and understood “the strong desire for change” in this West African nation just below the Sahara.
I wish mine would.
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"Burkina Faso president declares state of emergency" Associated Press October 31, 2014
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso — Burkina Faso’s leader of nearly three decades declared a state of emergency Thursday, hours after protesters who oppose his bid for another term stormed Parliament and set part of it on fire, marking the greatest threat to his rule since he himself seized power in a coup.
It was not immediately clear where President Blaise Compaore was following the announcement, which also called for an end to the demonstrations. At least one person was killed and several others were wounded earlier in the day amid the melee, authorities said.
In a concession to the opposition, Compaore agreed Thursday to withdraw a bill from consideration in the Parliament that would have allowed him to extend his 27-rule through a fifth term.
Army General Honore Traore, the joint chief of staff, announced that a curfew would be in effect from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. The government and Parliament also have been dissolved, he said.
While demonstrators managed to block the parliamentary vote, the violent opposition unleashed Thursday underscored the threat Compaore now faces as frustrations mount in one of the world’s poorest countries.
I'm getting the feeling my agenda-pushing, intelligence agency mouthpiece didn't approve of these particular protests.
In a sign of the growing unrest, crowds also attacked the homes of government ministers and looted shops in the country’s second-largest city, Bobo Dioulasso, witnesses said.
That definitely attracts the attention of the ruling cla$$ that publishes the papers, and they would want to alert those for whom it is for and of to such occurrences.
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I expect a Next Day Update tomorrow in my Bo$ton Sunday Globe.
NEXT DAY UPDATE:
It's my world lead today so something must be going on.
"Burkina Faso appoints transitional leader" by Brahima Ouedraogo | Associated Press November 02, 2014
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso — Burkina Faso’s army appointed a military colonel as transitional leader Saturday, after the West African country’s president resigned from 27 years in office amid violent protests against his continued power.
Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Yacouba Zida was unanimously appointed by the army to lead Burkina Faso, the army said. The length of the transition will be determined later, according to a statement issued after senior officers met with the joint chiefs of staff Saturday.
Blaise Compaore resigned Friday when protesters stormed Parliament and set the building ablaze after two days of violent demonstrations against his effort to amend the constitution to stand next year for another term.
His move left the impoverished West African country in a state of uncertainty, and both Joint Chief of Staff General Honore Traore and Zida had made remarks that they were in power.
Compaore, his family, and those close to him had been taken in by Ivory Coast, according to a statement from the office of the country’s president, Alassane Ouattara. It did not elaborate. It said Ouattara was following events closely.
Related: Exhuming This Ivory Coast Post
Was Compaore pushed out?
Earlier Saturday, Zida said the president’s resignation amid violent street protests was an ‘‘insurrection’’ and not a coup, and that Compaore and a top aide were both safe.
‘‘Starting today I will assume all the responsibilities of this transition and of head of state,’’ he said in an announcement carried on radio early Saturday.
Zida was the second in command of the president’s security regiment. Having been in Burkina Faso’s ranks for more than two decades, Zida is close to the president and appreciated by lower ranking soldiers.
Zida called on the international community including the African Union to ‘‘support our people during this difficult ordeal.’’ He had announced that the country’s borders had been closed, a transitional committee had been set up, and the constitution had been suspended.
General Traore, the joint chief of staff, had on Friday told reporters that he would assume the presidency until elections were called, so Lieutenant Colonel Zida’s declaration Saturday caused initial confusion.
During the course of several dramatic hours, Compaore, 63, went from looking likely to jam through Parliament a bill that would let him seek a fifth term, to agreeing to step down next year, to abandoning office immediately.
The quick succession of events took many by surprise, since Compaore had long out-maneuvered his adversaries and has in recent years become an important regional mediator. Burkina Faso hosts French special forces and serves as an important ally of both France and the United States in the fight against Islamic militants in West Africa.
My question is did the U.S. just replace him with a not-so-fresh face like they have done in Yemen and other places where stale dictators needed to go?
The United States called on Burkina Faso’s military to follow ‘‘the constitutionally mandated process for the transfer of power and holding of democratic elections.’’
‘‘We condemn any attempts by the military or other parties to take advantage of the situation for unconstitutional gain and call on all parties to respect the people’s support for the democratic process,’’ State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.
U.S. doesn't seem particularly happy, but that is just the official public position and out the other ear it goes. I would have to do a separate investigation that I do not have time for to figure all this out.
Compaore first came to power after the October 1987 coup against then-President Thomas Sankara, Compaore’s longtime friend and political ally who was killed in the power grab.
No doubt here the CIA was somehow involved.
While he was respected on the international stage, critics noted that, under Compaore’s semiauthoritarian rule, the country of 18 million people remained mired in poverty.
That's "our" man!
The landlocked country’s fortunes rise and fall with gold and cotton prices — and adequate rain in a region plagued by drought.
Ah, gold! That is why Burkino Faso is now a big deal.
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