Burkina protesters call for Compaore ouster(AFP) ? 15 hours...

Burkina protesters call for Compaore ouster
(AFP) ? 15 hours ago
OUAGADOUGOU ? Several hundred people gathered in the Burkina Faso capital on Saturday to demand the departure of President Blaise Compaore, whose 24-year rule is being challenged in a wave of popular anger.
Protesters brandished placards with slogans such as: "Blaise out!", "Blaise resign!" and "United for Blaise Compaore's departure".
The march came after 34 opposition parties called for a mass mobilisation against the long-serving leader's regime. However despite relatively small numbers, opposition leaders said they were satisfied.
"We are very pleased with the mobilisation, despite enormous sabotage by authorities," said main opposition leader Benewende Stanislas Sankara.
The opposition leaders took to the podium to denounce Compaore's rule. The former soldier seized power in a 1987 coup, and has since been re-elected four times in contested elections which saw him win over 80 percent of votes.
"A grave and profound crisis needs an effective and healing remedy: the departure of Blaise Compaore," said Norbert Michel Tiendrebeogo, president of the Social Forces Front.
Compaore's regime is facing a wave of popular anger as all sectors of society protest its rule as well as high costs of living.
An army mutiny broke out from within his own presidential guard in March and this week police carried out their own revolt in a bid to secure improved salaries.
In a bid to quell the unrest, Compaore fired his government and several military chiefs, named himself defence minister and appointed a new prime minister, former ambassador to France Luc Adolphe Tiao.
Tiao has announced urgent measures such as the subsidisation of basic commodities to calm the anger, while intense talks with the army and police force to bring them back under control saw the mutineers winning some concessions.
On Friday, Burkina Faso police agreed to end all forms of protest.
However tension persists, and on Saturday, Security Minister Jerome Bougouma annnounced an 11-year-old child hit by a stray police bullet during the mutiny had died in hospital.