2014 Burkinab uprising

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This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the ev
ent progresses. (October 2014)
2014 Burkinab uprising
Date 28 October 2014[1] ongoing
Location Burkina Faso Ouagadougou, Bobo Dioulasso and Ouahigouya, Burkina
Faso
Causes
Constitutional electoral law change (abolition of presidential term limits)
Goals
Political reforms, mainly discontinuation of the president's term
Methods
Protests
Riots
Civil resistance
Civil disobedience
Demonstrations
Result
Suspension of constitutional amendment bill in parliament
Parliament dissolved
President Blaise Compaor resigns and flees to Ivory Coast
Yacouba Isaac Zida becomes acting president
Parties to the civil conflict
Opposition parties[which?]
People's Movement for Progress[citation needed]
Union for Progress and Change
Union for Rebirth/Sankarist Movement
Government of Burkina Faso
Lead figures
Zphirin Diabr
Benewende Sankara
Simon Compaor
Roch Marc Christian Kabor[citation needed]
Salif Diallo[citation needed]
General Kouam Lougu
(Since 30 October)
President Blaise Compaor
Prime Minster Luc-Adolphe Tiao[dubious discuss]
National Assembly Speaker Soungalo Ouattara
Casualties
6 deaths
(at least 3 on 30 October)
(1 after army takeover)
The Burkinab uprising was a series of demonstrations and riots in Burkina Faso in
October 2014 that quickly spread to multiple cities. They began in response to
attempts at changing the constitution to allow President Blaise Compaor to run ag
ain and extend his 27-year term. Following a tumultuous day on 30 October, which
included the involvement of former Defence Minister Kouam Lougu and the burning o
f parliament and other government buildings as well as the ruling Congress for D
emocracy and Progress party's headquarters, Compaor dissolved the government and
declared a state of emergency before eventually fleeing to Ivory Coast with the
support of President Alassane Ouattara.
General Honor Nabr Traor announced that a transitional government would run the coun
try until an election within 12 months. After another day of mass protests and i
nitially refusing to resign, after mounting domestic pressure Compaor resigned fr
om his 27-year rule on 31 October and Traor took over as the interim head of stat
e. However, Lieutenant Colonel Yacouba Isaac Zida also staked a claim to be inte
rim head of state citing Traor's unpopularity. A statement by military chiefs ass
erted that Zida had their unanimous backing. A coalition of unnamed opposition p
arties rejected the military takeover. Further protests were called for the morn
ing of 2 November,[2] but were smaller yet there was at least one casualty amids
t a police response.
Contents [hide]
1 Background
2 Protests
2.1 Initial
2.2 30 October
2.3 31 October
2.4 Post-resignation
3 Response
3.1 Resignation
4 Reactions
5 References
6 External links
Background[edit]
Following an amendment in 2000, the constitution limits presidents to two terms
of five years. However, the restrictions were not applied retroactively, allowin
g President Blaise Compaor, who had been in office since 1987, to run for a furth
er two terms and be re-elected in 2005 and 2010.[3]
In regards to the 2015 presidential election, Compaor tried to extend his 27 year
s in power by enacting a constitutional amendment to lift term limits. As a resu
lt, the opposition called for protests against the measure that was sitting in p
arliament.[1] Some people suggested the move could "spark an uprising."[4]
The Burkinab Spring in 2011 also called for change amid a stagnant economy and a
non-responsive state, which was met with some concessions. The events magnified
a divide, and distrust, between the regular army and the special units, such as
the Regiment of Presidential Security.[5]
Protests[edit]
Initial[edit]
[icon] This section requires expansion. (October 2014)
Protests started in late October.[1] Unnamed opposition called for a blockade of
parliament.[6]
On 29 October, a mass rally took place against a "constitutional coup" involved
hundreds of thousands of people and also involved street battles.[7]
30 October[edit]
Parts of the Assemble Nationale (pictured in 2013) were burnt down during the pro
tests of 30 October.
The most serious events occurred on 30 October with the gathering of tens of tho
usands of people. Police used tear gas to deter the demonstrators, yet they brok
e through police lines[8] to torch government buildings, including the city hall
building, and the ruling Congress for Democracy and Progress (CDP) party's head
quarters. The crowd headed to the presidential palace, while the military fired
rubber bullets at about 1,500 people storming the National Assembly of Burkina F
aso. Protesters burnt documents and stole computer equipment, while cars outside
the building were set ablaze.[3] Parts of the parliament building was also on f
ire, including the Speaker Soungalo Ouattara's office, but the main chamber was
untouched.[7] The presidential guard fired on civilians charging into Frances Co
mpaor's home leading to at least three deaths.[8] The state broadcaster, RTB's,[7
] building for its radio unit, Maison de la Radio which was under renovation,[9]
and television were also stormed.[1] At the television unit's building, protest
ers posed on the set of the evening news programme, while soldiers were deployed
outside the Maison de la Radio with an armored personnel carrier to defend it f
rom the crowd.[10] Five people were reported killed during the day. Some soldier
s, including former Defence Minister General Kouam Lougu, joined the protests.[3]
Unnamed opposition activists claimed there had been 30 deaths.[11]
The BBC reported that in an area where MPs live two houses were burning and smok
e was billowing from two or three more, while Hotel Azalai was on fire. State-te
levision was off-air, while the 3G network and SMS services were blocked, but in
ternet access and telephones were available. Violent protests also occurred in t
he country's second largest city Bobo-Dioulasso,[3] including the toppling of st
atues[1] and the local CDP headquarters,[7] and in Ouahigouya, in the north.[10]
Ouagadougou airport was closed and all arriving and departing flights were canc
eled until further notice.[12]
Many MPs also fled to an unnamed nearby hotel. Opposition[clarification needed]
MP Ablasse Ouedraogo said: "I was inside when the demonstrators stormed in. I wa
s put in secure place by security people of the parliament. Now it is difficult
to say what happens next but things are out of control because the demonstrators
do not listen to anyone."[13] General Honor Nabr Traor imposed a night curfew.[14]
31 October[edit]
Following Diabr's call, the next day, protesters then gathered at Ouagadougou's c
entral Place de la Nation and outside the army headquarters amidst reports of a
tense standoff at the latter with chants of "fulfill your responsibilities or we
will do so ourselves."[15] By the end of the day Compaor had resigned and, thoug
h there was an initial dispute in the presidency, by 1 November, Zida was declar
ed interim president.
Post-resignation[edit]
On 1 November, Ouagadougou Mayor Simon Compaor led volunteers on "Operation Mana
Mana" (Operation Clean-Clean in Dyula) to clear the streets, which earned him pr
aise on social media.[5] A coalition of unnamed opposition parties also issued a
statement that read:[2]
The victory of the popular uprising - and consequently the management of the tra
nsition - belongs to the people and should not in any way be confiscated by the
army. Our consultation reaffirmed that this transition should be democratic and
civilian in character.
Their joint statement also called for a "democratic and civilian transition. The
victory born from this popular uprising belongs to the people, and the task of
managing the transition falls by right to the people. In no case can it be confi
scated by the army."[11]
A demonstration was called at the Place de la Nation for the morning of 2 Novemb
er. On 1 November, soldiers loyal to Zida patrolled the streets of Ouagadougou a
fter his early morning radio announcement of assuming the role of interim head o
f state in order to avoid pandemonium during the democratic transition. Protests
continued at the Place de la Nation demanding civilian control of a new governm
ent instead of a military subversion of what was seen as a grassroots uprising.
At the television studio of BF1 television he said: "This is not a coup d'etat b
ut a popular uprising. I salute the memory of the martyrs of this uprising and b
ow to the sacrifices made by our people." He also called for the African Union a
nd ECOWAS' support for the transition.[2]
In the end, France 24 reported that thousands gathered for the protest, down fro
m the up to a million demonstrators previously, at what has now been nicknamed "
Revolution Square."[11] Protesters at RTB's television building were dispersed b
y soldiers, who sealed off the building, as well as the Place de la Nation.[16]
Zida vowed that "any act likely to undermine the transition process will be supp
ressed with vigor."[17] The army's attempt to clear the protesters resulted in t
hem opening fire at those gathered at the RTB causing one death.[18] One such pl
acard at the protests equated Zida with Judas. Reports indicated opposition PDC[
clarification needed] leader Saran Sereme,[19] along with an unnamed army genera
l and a crowd of their supporters, went to the RTB site to declare themselves in
charge of the transition. As gunshots were heard, RTB was taken off the air for
hours with an unnamed army spokesman saying: "The army does not want power. But
the anarchy needs to stop. Any violation will be punished with the utmost energ
y." The Regiment of Presidential Security then sought to block access to the Pla
ce de la Nation.[18]
Response[edit]
Former President Blaise Compaor.
Lopold Sdar Senghor International Airport authorities in Dakar were quoted by The
Guardian as having confirmed Compaor was in Senegal, but there was later dispute
as to his location,[1][8] although his presence outside the country was affirmed
.[20] A communique read on Radio Omega at 17:00 reported that Compaor had "dissol
ved government," declared a state of emergency and made an appeal to "stay calm.
"[3] He later said he was prepared to leave office at the end of the transition.
[21] Compaor then said that he would retain his position for a year under a trans
itional government and then hand over power. He also added he was lifting the "s
tate of siege" he had previously declared.[22]
Communications Director Ibrahim Sakande announced the state of emergency with th
e "chief of the armed forces is in charge of implementing this decision." The re
ason given by Compaor was to "create conditions for change," the statement contin
ued. "I'm calling on the leaders of the political opposition to put an end to th
e protests. I'm pledging from today to open talks with all the actors to end the
crisis." Union for Rebirth/Sankarist Movement President Benewende Sankara, who
called for the march, said: "The president must deal with the consequences."[23]
Union for Progress and Change President Zphirin Diabr[24] called on the military t
o side with "the people" and called for Compaor's resignation. Opposition activis
t Emile Pargui said: "October 30 is Burkina Faso's black spring, like the Arab S
pring."[3] Reports in the French media also indicated Compaor's brother, Francis,
[8] was arrested as he tried to flee the country, while Lougu's statements sugges
ted the army may step in to remove Compaor from power.[1] Opposition figure[clari
fication needed] Simon Compaor (not related) said: "It is absolutely necessary fo
r Blaise Compaor to leave power and for a transitional government to take over. T
alks are taking place with General Lougue ... but there is no agreement yet." Th
e military command announced it would issue a statement later in the day; other
unnamed opposition leaders announced having held talks with Lougu on forming a tr
ansitional government.[10] Following Compaor's pledge that "open talks with all t
he actors to end the crisis," Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Honor Nabr Traor t
hen made an announcement that a transitional government would run the country un
til an election within 12 months. He also announced a curfew to be in place from
19:00 to 6:00. The national borders have also been closed.[25] The transitional
government would occur after all-party consultations.[15]
Radio Omega FM Ouaga said that "revolution 2.0" (in reference to the popular mov
ement led by Thomas Sankara in 1983,[1] whose eventual overthrow and assassinati
on was blamed on Compaor[8]) has been called a victory by the opposition.[1]
After the violence peaked on 30 October, the bill was withdrawn from parliament,
according to rushed statement by Communications Minister Alain Edouard Traore.
Compaor then also called for "calm and serenity" on Twitter.[1]
Resignation[edit]
Within 24 hours of the 30 October events, Compaor maintained he was still preside
nt and would lead a transitional government.[26] While unnamed international dip
lomats backed his move, Diabr then called for the demonstrators to occupy public
spaces amidst renewed calls for the former's resignation. "The opposition has sa
id and will say again that the precondition for any discussion relating to a pol
itical transition is the departure, pure and simple and without condition, of Bl
aise Compaor." Rapper Smockey of Le Balai Citoyen told a local radio station that
the people were "determined once and for all" to remove Compaor.[15]
Later in the day, Compaor announced he had left the presidency and that there was
a "power vacuum;" he also called for a "free and transparent" election within 9
0 days.[14] His resignation was done on the basis of Article 43 of the constitut
ion of Burkina Faso which states that in case of a vacancy within the presidency
, a new election should be held within at least 60-90 days after the official va
cancy declaration, a move that some politicians such as Diabr deem difficult to c
arry out.[5] Protesters then gathered at army headquarters that day then cheered
when the announcement was made. Traor then took over the reigns as head of state
in an interim capacity.[14] Though demonstrators danced and cheered in Ouagadou
gou at the announcement of Compaor's statement being broadcast, the mood cooled o
n news of Traor taking interim office. Arsene Evariste Kabore, the former editor-
in-chief of state television, suggested people were not happy at the decision[27
] as he was Compaor's aide de camp.[14] Chants were heard calling for Traor to qui
t.[28] Some protesters even called for election of Lougu,[29] who was fired by Co
mpaor in 2003.[30] People's Movement for Progress member, Monou Tapsoaba, said th
at instead of Traor "we need someone credibly. Traor is Blaise Campaor's henchman."
[28]
Former Deputy Commander of the Regiment of Presidential Security[31] Lieutenant
Colonel Yacouba Issaac Zida appeared to challenge Traor's usurpation of power whi
le aligning himself with the protesters. He announced his own emergency measures
and deployed troops on the streets.[32] Hours after Traor's announcement, a reco
rded address on the website of RTB, indicated Zida announced he would lead the t
ransition cited Traor's unpopularity in announcing he would lead the transition [
31] The next day, a statement was then issued by unnamed top military leaders th
at read: "Lieutenant Colonel Yacouba Issac Zida has been elected unanimously to
lead the transition period opened after the departure of President Blaise Compao
re."[33] The statement was also signed by Traor. Zida then said: "The aspirations
for democratic change [by the Burkinab youth] will be neither betrayed, nor disa
ppointed."[11]
By 1 November, Compaor had fled to Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast. Though he was en ro
ute from Kosyam, the presidential palace, to P on the national highway, they dive
rted before arriving in Nobr, 45 kilometres from P. While being in constant contact
with Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, the latter sent a helicopter to an un
named uninhabited area in the afternoon to retrieve him and his entourage.[34] T
he government of Ivory Coast[who?] issued a statement saying that Compaor was in
the country with his family and entourage but did not specify his location. Reut
ers quoted military sources as saying he was staying at a presidential retreat i
n Assinie. Unnamed diplomats were also quoted as saying he was alarmed at the po
ssibility of prosecution on human rights charges upon leaving office.[2] Zida al
so said on television that Compaor was "in a safe place" and that his "safety and
wellbeing are assured."[11]