Burkina Faso Parliament Set Ablaze: Five people have been killed in the clashes after demonstrators storm assembly in protest against vote to allow president another term.
Anti-government protesters in Burkina Faso have set parliament ablaze during a surge of violence that forced the Government, to a minimum of briefly scrap a vote on constitutional amendments that will enable President Blaise Compaore to increase his 27-year rule.
Hundreds of people broke through a heavy security cordon & stormed the National Assembly building in the capital Ouagadougou, pillaging offices & setting fire to cars, before attacking the national TV headquarters.
It is difficult to say what happens next, but things are out of control because the demonstrators do not listen to anyone.” said Ablasse Ouedraogo, opposition lawmaker, via Aljazeera.
According to BBC, The military fired live bullets as protesters stormed parliament, Journalists are now gathered outside the defence ministry awaiting a statement from the military, he says.
Witnesses say dozens of soldiers have joined the protests, including a former Defense Minister, Gen Kouame Lougue.
According to Aljazeera, Police had tried to control the crowds using tear gas, but the demonstrators were able to push through the barricades and make their way into parliament.
“It is over for the regime!” and “We do not want him again!” Protesters shouted when they heard that the vote on term limits had been stopped.
State television went off air after protesters stormed the building housing it and ransacked it, RushHourDaily quotes a witness as saying, according to BBC.
About 1,500 people breached the security cordon at parliament, according to AFP.
Protesters were setting fire to documents and stealing computer equipment and cars outside the building were also set ablaze.
Photo Via AFP/ Issouf Sanogo.
