Protesters in Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou clashed with riot police Tuesday amid demonstrations against President Blaise Compaore's push to extend his rule beyond 30 years. Compaiore has attempted to push through a constitutional amendment that would lift the current term limits. He has currently been in power for 27 years.
Compaore has been in power since 1987, following a coup that ousted and killed Socialist president Thomas Sankara, and has won subsequent elections after opposition parties boycotted them. Although Burkina Faso has term limits set at two five-year terms, they have only been in effect since 2000 and were not retroactive. As a result, his current term is set to expire next year.
