Burkina Faso Revolution: Blaise Compaoré steps down after popular revolution. Army chief General Honoré Nabéré Traoré takes over

General Honoré Nabéré Traoré has taken over the reins of power

 

Burkina Faso's longtime President Blaise Compaoré has announced he is stepping down a day after demonstrators torched parliament in protest at plans to extend his 27-year rule. He has left the capital in a heavily armoured convoy and may be seeking to leave the country. He may be heading towards Ghana.

Below are Tweets from France 24 live blog.

Related Stories: Blaise Compaore Overthrown: Army Chief announces new regime Burkina Faso Political Crisis

(10/31/2014)

3:18

Tweets below on Blaise Compaore’s official Twitter account declares he has decided to implement Article 43 of the constitution (which calls for an interim administration to be led by the National Assembly speaker) allowing for the immediate establishment of a transitional administration leading to free elections within a maximum of 90 days. Finally, the former African statesman calls for calm. Friday October 31, 2014 3:18

3:13	Blaise Compaore@PF_Compaore J’appelle l’ensemble des citoyens au calme, #lwili #burkina #Bf226 Friday October 31, 2014 3:13 Blaise Compaore

3:13	Blaise Compaore@PF_Compaore en vue de permettre la mise en place immédiate d’une transition devant aboutir à des élections libres dans un délai maximal de 90 jrs #lwili Friday October 31, 2014 3:13 Blaise Compaore

3:12	Blaise Compaore@PF_Compaore ...j’ai décidé de mettre en œuvre l’article 43 de la Constitution. Je déclare la vacance du pouvoir... #lwili #burkina Friday October 31, 2014 3:12 Blaise Compaore

3:04	Nelson Simo has tweeted (below) a shot of Gen. Honoré Traore who has just announced that he has taken over as Burkina Faso’s leader following Blaise Compaore’s resignation. Friday October 31, 2014 3:04

3:01	Nelson Simo@lesikanel Le général Honoré Nabéré Traoré est le nouveau Président du #BurkinaFaso #lwili. pic.twitter.com/EEDXxesB6B Friday October 31, 2014 3:01 Nelson Simo

2:57	Burkina military chief Gen. Honoré Traore says he has taken over as head of state. (Reuters) Friday October 31, 2014 2:57

2:55	Joe Penney@joepenney Honoré traore now head of state of burkina Friday October 31, 2014 2:55 Joe Penney

2:54

Minutes after Blaise Compaore announced his resignation, there are still questions of who is leading the country right now and who will head a transition administration. The other lingering question that dominated the national conversation yesterday still lingers: “Where’s Blaise?” There are reports the ousted Burkinabe president is heading toward neighboring Ghana in a convoy. Friday October 31, 2014 2:54

2:50	Journalist Mathieu Olivier tweets (below) that National Assembly speaker Apollinaire Ouattara should lead the transition administration. Friday October 31, 2014 2:50

2:50	Mathieu OLIVIER@MathieuOlivier #Burkina : le président de l'Assemblée nationale, Soungalo Appolinaire Ouattara, devrait diriger la transition jafri.co/1voclKP #lwili Friday October 31, 2014 2:50 Mathieu OLIVIER

2:40	Friday October 31, 2014 2:40

2:33	African Renaissance@JJ_Bola Blaise Compaore cannot attempt to claim he stepped down when days ago he was trying to change the constitution to extend his term! Friday October 31, 2014 2:33 African Renaissance

2:33	Thomas Fessy@bbcfessy Voila. Compaore has resigned, radio in #BurkinaFaso reports communique. "Presidency is now vacant" Unconfirmed reports he's leaving capital. Friday October 31, 2014 2:33 Thomas Fessy

2:32	Details on Blaise Compaore’s latest statement: The ousted president has called for elections within 90 days. This is in keeping with the country’s constitution. Friday October 31, 2014 2:32

2:29	Burkina 24 TV has tweeted (below) a rather blurred photograph of President Blaise Campaore’s latest statement announcing that he has stepped down. Friday October 31, 2014 2:29

2:28	Burkina24@burkina24 OFFICIEL: Blaise Compaoré annonce qu'il quitte le pouvoir. fb.me/1ObDOhtJg Friday October 31, 2014 2:28 Burkina24

2:25	BREAKING: Burkina Faso President Blaise Campaore has issued a statement saying he has stepped down. Friday October 31, 2014 2:25

2:22	Imad Mesdoua@ImadMesdoua #Burkina constitution says: Art 43 "If president absent temporarily, PM takes over. If absent indef'ly National Ass.Pres takes over" #Lwili Friday October 31, 2014 2:22 Imad Mesdoua

2:22	Imad Mesdoua@ImadMesdoua #Burkina - Radio saying "President #Compaore's heavily armed presidential convoy (20 cars) spotted heading towards city of Pô" #Lwili Friday October 31, 2014 2:22 Imad Mesdoua

2:20	Dika Ozoemena@Shakes58 A message to African Dictators, from Burkina Faso wp.me/p46crW-6Y | @jonleeanderson Friday October 31, 2014 2:20 Dika Ozoemena

2:19	African Renaissance@JJ_Bola This moment will go down in history books. The second Burkina Faso revolution. Friday October 31, 2014 2:19 African Renaissance

2:15	Friday October 31, 2014 2:15

2:14

Journalist Mathieu Olivier tweets (below) that President Campaore is heading in a convoy toward the Burkinabe border town of Po and wonders if the embattled president is heading to neighboring Ghana. On Thursday, there were rumors that Campaore had fled to Ivory Coast as questions of “Where’s Blaise?” dominated social media sites. Friday October 31, 2014 2:14

2:10	Mathieu OLIVIER@MathieuOlivier #Burkina : Blaise Compaoré se dirigerait dans un convoi vers Pô. Donc sur la route du Ghana ? #lwili Friday October 31, 2014 2:10 Mathieu OLIVIER

2:08	Burkina 24 TV reporting Army Colonel Zida has announced the resignation of President Campaore. Friday October 31, 2014 2:08

2:05	African Renaissance@JJ_Bola I just remembered I have a copy of the constitution from when I was in Burkina Faso... pic.twitter.com/kqu4oEHafG Friday October 31, 2014 2:05 African Renaissance

2:02	The EU says the people of Burkina Faso must decide their own future. Friday October 31, 2014 2:02

2:01

Speaking to reporters during a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Paris, French President François Hollande noted that, "For the ties that bind us in Burkina Faso, for stability in the region, France contributes to calming the situation and I am sure that President Compaore in the coming hours will make the right decisions to achieve this essential solution.” Friday October 31, 2014 2:01

1:53	African Renaissance@JJ_Bola I'm emotional right now. Real tears. I wish I could be there. With the children I worked with and my neighbours, in the square... Friday October 31, 2014 1:53 African Renaissance

1:52

Paris is carefully monitoring the situation in the former French colony today as commentators have noted that “the writing is on the wall” for embattled Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore after 27 years in power. Earlier today, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said he asked the French ambassador in Ouagadougou to “facilitate a solution to calm the situation,” adding that it was not up to France to set up a new government. French President François Hollande’s latest statement in effect is calling on Campaore to do the right thing. Friday October 31, 2014 1:52

1:46	BREAKING: French President François Hollande says he believes Burkina Faso’s Compaore will take the right decision in the coming hours to calm the situation. Friday October 31, 2014 1:46

1:41	Peter Tinti@petertinti RT @joepenney: New member of parliament. Ouaga this morning #burkina #lwili #peoplepower pic.twitter.com/0VXgdVQWkJ Friday October 31, 2014 1:41 Peter Tinti

1:41	Peter Tinti@petertinti RT @Ouibga: #Burkina Une image très significative #lwili pic.twitter.com/Rz94PUEGss ” #TeamAfrique Friday October 31, 2014 1:41 Peter Tinti

1:27	ChathamHouse Africa@AfricaProg Paul Melly comments on current developments in #Burkina Faso and wider implications #lwili - chathamhouse.org/expert/comment… Friday October 31, 2014 1:27 ChathamHouse Africa

1:25	Bate Felix Tabi Tabe@BateFelix Seems the die is cast for #Compaore. #Burkina army chief has called a press conference after meeting with opposition & Gen. Lougue #iwili Friday October 31, 2014 1:25 Bate Felix Tabi Tabe

1:25	French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius says he has asked the French ambassador in Burkina Faso to help calm the situation. (Reuters) Friday October 31, 2014 1:25

1:23	Imad Mesdoua@ImadMesdoua #Burkina Army Chief #Traore will give press conference today - no doubt to confirm information given that #Compaore no longer pres. #Lwili Friday October 31, 2014 1:23 Imad Mesdoua

1:18	Farida Nabourema@Farida_N En ce moment au poste de commendemant a Ouaga. Le peuple demande le depart de Blaise #Afrique #Burkina #Faso pic.twitter.com/sTaFpQTQ6N Friday October 31, 2014 1:18 Farida Nabourema

1:17	Here's a profile of revolutionary hero Thomas Sankara, whose spirit is being evoked on the streets of Burkina Faso’s towns and cities 25 years after his murder. Friday October 31, 2014 1:17

1:13

Round-up of the events so far: Fresh protests have broken out in Burkinabe capital Ouagadougou and other cities (Koudougou, Bobo-Dioulasso) on Friday, demanding the "immediate" resignation of Blaise Compaoré. Tens of thousands of demonstrators have gathered at Ouagadougou’s Place de la Nation. The opposition is demanding Campaore’s "unconditional departure".  Many protesters are calling for former defense minister Kouamé Lougue to take control during a transition period. On Thursday, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Traoré announced the establishment of a transitional government for a year and declared the military’s commitment "to support the democratic transition process". Embattled President Blaise Campaore has offered to hold talks with opposition figures, but has refused to resign. Friday October 31, 2014 1:13

12:58

Ouagadougou’s landmark Hotel Independence was also looted on Thursday. Friday October 31, 2014 12:58

12:51

Some images of the looting yesterday. Dieudonné Lankoande tweets images (below) of a looted bank. Friday October 31, 2014 12:51

12:49

Dieudonné LANKOANDE@Dieuson1 Le pillage serait-il sélectif? Coris Bank en a fait les frais et pas son voisin Banque de l'habitat #Burkina #lwili pic.twitter.com/nP5s1B0T6Z Friday October 31, 2014 12:49 Dieudonné LANKOANDE

12:46

Burkinabe politician Zéphirin Diabré is on Ouagadougou’s Place de la Nation and in this tweet below, he expresses the hope that “our armed forces avoid bloodshed”. Friday October 31, 2014 12:46

12:44

Zéphirin Diabré@Zephirindiabre Que nos forces de l'ordre évitent de verser le sang des Burkinabé. #Burkina #lwili #bf226 Friday October 31, 2014 12:44 Zéphirin Diabré

12:35

Nakelse Tebila@NTebila En ce moment au poste de commandement à Ouaga: Les manifestants continuent d'affluer. #burkina #lwili #burkina24 pic.twitter.com/S3UHgaKpnC Friday October 31, 2014 12:35 Nakelse Tebila

12:33

Jon Lee Anderson@jonleeanderson Amazing picture, a postmodern Rennaissance painting: @joepenney: protestors storm TV stn in Burkina Faso @MrChuckD pic.twitter.com/FXKWwfwNZ8 Friday October 31, 2014 12:33 Jon Lee Anderson

12:31

As tens of thousands take to the streets demanding the end of Campaore’s reign, images of slain Burkinabe hero Thomas Sankara flood social media sites (see posts below). Sankara was killed under mysterious circumstances and many believe Campaore was behind the leftist hero’s murder. Friday October 31, 2014 12:31

12:27

Collins Odondi@Tafakari Did the ghost of "Africa's Che Guevara" influence events in Burkina Faso? aje.me/1tmMlS2 #Lwili pic.twitter.com/bhlRUViKzw via @AJENews Friday October 31, 2014 12:27 Collins Odondi

12:27

Collins Odondi@Tafakari Haunting words said by Thomas Sankara seem more relevant than ever. #BurkinaFaso #BlaiseDegage pic.twitter.com/8tfQkfrRXj via @DynamicAfrica Friday October 31, 2014 12:27 Collins Odondi

12:26

Abdelkerim Yacoub tweets below that “there are ten times more protesters than yesterday, and they are more decided, organised and resolved”. Friday October 31, 2014 12:26

12:25

ABDELKERIM YACOUB @KOUNDOUGOUMI la foule est 10 fois plus nombreuse qu' hier, surtout bien décidé, organisé et encadré. #Burkina #BurkinaFaso #BurkinaProtests #Iwili Friday October 31, 2014 12:25 ABDELKERIM YACOUB

12:24

Click here for France 24’s Nicholas Rushworth press review of the international coverage of yesterday’s seismic events in this tiny West African nation. Friday October 31, 2014 12:24

12:20

French weekly Jeune Afrique has tweeted a photograph of the opposition declaration renewing the call for Compaore to step down. Friday October 31, 2014 12:20

12:19

Click here for FRANCE 24 Observer Souleymane Ouedrago’s account of yesterday’s deadly protest. Friday October 31, 2014 12:19

12:19

Jeuneafrique.com@jeune_afrique #Burkina : la déclaration de l'opposition, qui demande à nouveau le départ de Blaise Compaoré. #lwili pic.twitter.com/voxFK52I8R Friday October 31, 2014 12:19 Jeuneafrique.com

12:11

Joe Penney@joepenney Writing surely on the wall now for blaise #burkina #lwili #rightnow pic.twitter.com/VF1HU32utI Friday October 31, 2014 12:11 Joe Penney

12:10

Rumor circulating among protesters at Place de la Nation that former defence minister, Kouame Lougue, will be making a speech in an hour. On Thursday, crowds chanted, “Lougue in power”. All eyes on the retired general amid questions of who is in control in Burkina Faso today. Friday October 31, 2014 12:10

12:04

Politician Zéphirin Diabré arrives at Ouagadougou’s Place de la Nation, tweets Nakelse Tebila below. Friday October 31, 2014 12:04

12:02

Nakelse Tebila@NTebila #Burkina #lwili Arrivee de Zephirin Diabre @Zephirindiabre a la place de la Nation maintenant Place de la Revolution. pic.twitter.com/8cDl06UZGS Friday October 31, 2014 12:02 Nakelse Tebila

12:00

Joe Penney@joepenney Member of the presidential guard speaks to crowd saying he has heard their concerns. Crowd disperses, now just waiting for final result Friday October 31, 2014 12:00 Joe Penney

11:57

And below, a video clip of the speech also posted on the presidency's official Twitter account. Friday October 31, 2014 11:57

11:56

Présidence du Faso @presidence_faso youtube.com/watch?v=Lncsr0… Friday October 31, 2014 11:56 Présidence du Faso

11:56

Just two hours ago, the Burkina Faso presidency retweeted Compaore’s speech last night (see post below) calling for "tranquility" and offering talks during a transitional period. The opposition has already responded to the embattled president’s offer with a “too little, too late”. Friday October 31, 2014 11:56

11:51

Présidence du Faso @presidence_faso MESSAGE A LA NATION DE SON EXCELLENCE MONSIEUR BLAISE COMPAORE, PRESIDENT DU FASO, le 30 octobre 2014 presidence.bf/message-a-la-n… Friday October 31, 2014 11:51 Présidence du Faso

11:50

For a profile of Blaise Compaore, click here for FRANCE 24’s Ben Dodman’s backgrounder on the African peacemaker facing a rebellion back home. Friday October 31, 2014 11:50

11:46

Thousands of protesters have started gathering around Place de la Nation in the heart of the Burkinabe capital of Ouagadougou, demanding “the immediate resignation” of President Blaise Compaore, who has ruled this impoverished West African nation for 27 years.