Protesters calling for the resignation of Burkina Faso’s president got their way on Friday as Blaise Compaore stepped down after 27 years in power.<br /><br />In a statement broadcast on national television, he called for elections within 90 days before leaving the capital Ouagadougou for the south.<br /><br />Months of tension erupted into violence on Thursday after Compaore attempted to prolong his hold on one of West Africa’s poorest nations.<br /><br />Bowing to pressure, he had earlier agreed to step down next year before confirming that he had “fulfilled” his duty.<br /><br />Army Chief Honore Traore seized power shortly afterwards vowing to “save the life of the nation”.<br /><br />He said: “In line with constitutional measures, and given the power vacuum, I will assume my responsibilities as head of state as of today.”<br /><br />But some opponents think that Traore is too close to the former president and fear that nothing will change.<br /><br />Former colonial power France welcomed the change of leader and called for speedy democratic elections.<br /><br />A day before the resignation, a state of emergency had been declared after parliament was destroyed and several other government buildings were torched.
