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Burkina Faso crisis: Shots fired at state TV station | Burkina Faso crisis: Shots fired at state TV station |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Unrest in Burkina Faso has led to state-run TV going off air for several hours after soldiers fired gunshots at its offices to force protesters and journalists to disperse. | |
Elsewhere, soldiers cleared thousands of demonstrators from a square in the capital and barricaded the area. | |
The army seized power on Friday after long-time leader Blaise Compaore quit following days of protests. | The army seized power on Friday after long-time leader Blaise Compaore quit following days of protests. |
The UN has condemned the military takeover and threatened sanctions. | The UN has condemned the military takeover and threatened sanctions. |
West Africa envoy Mohamed Ibn Chambas said the military must allow a civilian transfer of power. | West Africa envoy Mohamed Ibn Chambas said the military must allow a civilian transfer of power. |
The army named Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Zida as the leader of a transitional government on Saturday. | |
On Sunday evening, Lt Col Zida met opposition leaders for talks. | |
Thousands of protesters gathered on Sunday at various places around Ouagadougou, the Burkinabe capital, to demonstrate against the army. | |
There were chaotic scenes as both opposition leader Saran Sereme and former defence minister Kwame Lougue turned up at the state TV headquarters. | There were chaotic scenes as both opposition leader Saran Sereme and former defence minister Kwame Lougue turned up at the state TV headquarters. |
The crowds believed Ms Sereme was about to announce that she was willing to lead the transition, the BBC's Laeila Adjovi in Ouagadougou reports. | The crowds believed Ms Sereme was about to announce that she was willing to lead the transition, the BBC's Laeila Adjovi in Ouagadougou reports. |
Reports suggest retired General Lougue also intended to announce that he could lead the country. | |
However, shortly after they arrived, gunfire broke out and staff and protesters fled. | However, shortly after they arrived, gunfire broke out and staff and protesters fled. |
National television resumed broadcasting a few hours later. | |
Witnesses told the BBC that soldiers fired in the air to disperse protesters before forcing journalists to leave. | Witnesses told the BBC that soldiers fired in the air to disperse protesters before forcing journalists to leave. |
"We went to the national TV [station] to try to understand what is going to happen, and while a colonel was reassuring us, some troops arrived and started to shoot," protester Amadou Yamiro told the BBC. | "We went to the national TV [station] to try to understand what is going to happen, and while a colonel was reassuring us, some troops arrived and started to shoot," protester Amadou Yamiro told the BBC. |
"We don't want the army to be in power, especially the special presidential regiment," he added. | "We don't want the army to be in power, especially the special presidential regiment," he added. |
Troops also barricaded the capital's main square, Place de la Nation. | Troops also barricaded the capital's main square, Place de la Nation. |
Sanctions threat | Sanctions threat |
On Sunday evening, key opposition figures met Col Zida for talks. | |
Those present included party leader Zephirin Diabre, former Foreign Minister Ablasse Ouedraogo, ex-Prime Minister Roch Marc Christian Kabore and party leader Benewende Sankara. | |
However, Ms Sereme reportedly left before the talks began and there were no details on what was discussed. | |
Mass protests first erupted last week when long-time leader Mr Compaore attempted to extend his 27-year rule. | Mass protests first erupted last week when long-time leader Mr Compaore attempted to extend his 27-year rule. |
Parts of the parliament building were set on fire, and the president fled to Ivory Coast. | Parts of the parliament building were set on fire, and the president fled to Ivory Coast. |
The army quickly stepped in to fill the power vacuum, declaring that Lt Col Isaac Zida would be the country's transitional leader. | The army quickly stepped in to fill the power vacuum, declaring that Lt Col Isaac Zida would be the country's transitional leader. |
He was second-in-command of the presidential guard, and his selection apparently came after a power struggle with the overall army chief, Gen Honore Traore. | He was second-in-command of the presidential guard, and his selection apparently came after a power struggle with the overall army chief, Gen Honore Traore. |
Many protesters had called for Gen Lougue to lead a transitional government instead. | Many protesters had called for Gen Lougue to lead a transitional government instead. |
However, in an interview with BBC Afrique (in French), the retired general said he had been marginalised by his military colleagues. | However, in an interview with BBC Afrique (in French), the retired general said he had been marginalised by his military colleagues. |
He was forced to leave military negotiations after the atmosphere became tense and he began to fear for his life, he said. | He was forced to leave military negotiations after the atmosphere became tense and he began to fear for his life, he said. |
Under Burkina Faso's constitution, the president of the Senate should take over after the national president resigns and an election should take place between 60 and 90 days afterwards. | Under Burkina Faso's constitution, the president of the Senate should take over after the national president resigns and an election should take place between 60 and 90 days afterwards. |
The African Union, the US and regional economic bloc Ecowas have all condemned the military takeover. | The African Union, the US and regional economic bloc Ecowas have all condemned the military takeover. |
While Mr Compaore's attempt to extend his time in office was the immediate trigger for the protests, analysts say high prices, low wages and persistent poverty have also fuelled discontent. | While Mr Compaore's attempt to extend his time in office was the immediate trigger for the protests, analysts say high prices, low wages and persistent poverty have also fuelled discontent. |
Are you in Burkina Faso? Send us your eyewitness accounts and views by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | Are you in Burkina Faso? Send us your eyewitness accounts and views by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international). Or you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international). Or you can upload here. |
Read the terms and conditions. | Read the terms and conditions. |