Protests hit Burkina Faso after army takeover

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The decision of the Burkina Faso military to take over power after the resignation of President Blaise Compaore does not go down well with the people of the country and has prompted protests in the capital as well as attracted  international condemnation.

Aljazeera reports that:

Thousands of people gathered in a square in the centre of Ouagadougou on Sunday to denounce the army’s power grab.

Gunfire was also heard at the state television headquarters in the capital, according to a report from the Reuters news agency. The shots were fired into the air as Sara Sereme, the leader of opposition party PDC, arrived in the area with a throng of supporters.

Compaore’s 27 years in charge of the landlocked West African country ended on Friday following two days of violent protests against his bid to change the constitution to extend his rule.

A power struggle ensued and on Saturday Presidential Guard commander Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Zida was appointed as transitional leader, trumping a claim by the chief of staff.

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