Burkina Faso’s military has dissolved the country’s parliament and announced a transitional government, however it remains unclear who is in charge.<br /><br />The decision follows violent protests against President Blaise Compaore, which resulted in the burning of the parliament and ransacking of the state television offices.<br /><br />Speaking alongside the head of the Armed Forces this military spokesman said “the National Assembly has been dissolved, the government has been dissolved and a transitional body will be put in place in consultation with all parties. A return to the constitutional order is expected in no more than 12 months.”<br /><br />The military announced that elections are set to take place within a year and an overnight curfew would be enforced.<br /><br />The demonstrations started over plans to vote on Thursday on a government motion to change the constitution to allow President Blaise Compaore- who has ruled since a coup in 1987 – to stand for re-election. His whereabouts remain unknown.<br /><br />At least nineteen people are reported to have been killed and scores more injured in the protests. <br /><br />Earlier, the US and France, both allies of Burkina Faso in their fight against al Qaeda-linked groups in West Africa, called for an end to the violence. <br /><br />Meanwhile, Regional West African bloc ECOWAS said that it would not accept any party seizing power through non-constitutional means, suggesting diplomatic pressure to leave President Compoare in place.
