Tag Archives: Blaise Compaore

Burkina Faso Minister Resigns Over Protest on Appointment

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A minister in Burkina Faso’s transitional government seen as close to former President Blaise Compaore’s administration resigned on Tuesday following two days of protests over his appointment, the prime minister’s office said.

The resignation is an early test for the West African country’s new leaders President Michel Kafando and Prime Minister Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Zida who will lead until elections planned in 2015.

Culture and Tourism Minister Adama Sagnon, appointed to the 26-member interim government at the weekend, submitted his resignation on Tuesday and it was accepted.

Earlier in the day, hundreds marched in front of his ministry and accused him of not doing enough to investigate the mysterious murder of prominent investigative journalist Norbert Zongo in 1998.

Sagnon, who denies any wrongdoing in the Zongo case, was a prosecutor at the time when the case was dismissed in 2006.

“We wanted to show our refusal to endorse the appointment of Judge Adama Sagnon who is implicated in the Norbert Zongo case,” said Rasmane Ouedraogo, a Burkinabe musician who participated in the latest protests.

Credit: VOA

Burkina Ex-president Compaore in Exile in Morocco, Says Ivory Coast Govt

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Burkina Faso’s longtime president Blaise Compaore, toppled by a popular uprising last month, has left his temporary refuge of Ivory Coast and headed into exile in Morocco, an Ivorian government spokesman said on Thursday.

Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in Burkina Faso when Compaore, who originally seized power in a 1987 coup, tried to change the constitution through parliament to extend his 27-year grip on the West African state.

He fled to neighbouring Ivory Coast, where he was welcomed by President Alassane Ouattara, a close ally, and lodged in a state villa in the capital Yamoussoukro.

“Yes, he has decided to change locations. He has left for Morocco. He will always be welcome in Ivory Coast. Our doors are always open,” Ivorian government spokesman Bruno Kone told Reuters, without giving further details.

Burkina Faso’s military briefly took power after Compaore stepped down. A civilian interim president, Michel Kafando, was appointed this week to guide the country on the southern fringes of the Sahara desert to an election due next year.

Credit: Reuters

President Blaise Compaore Resigns

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Burkina Faso’s President Blaise Compaore has announced his resignation, following violent protests at his attempt to extend his 27-year rule.

Mr Compaore issued a statement saying the presidency was now vacant.An army spokesman also broke the news to cheering demonstrators in the capital, Ouagadougou.

Following the protests, Mr Compaore said he had agreed not to seek another term, but that he would remain in power until a transitional government had completed its work in 2015.

However, the opposition continued to demand that he resign. Its leader, Zephirin Diabre, urged protesters to occupy public spaces.

There were cheers when the army spokesman told the crowd gathered in front of army headquarters on Friday that Mr Compaore had left office, AFP news agency reports.

Seen on: www.bbc.com