Protesters Set Fire to Burkina Faso Parliament

Protesters in Burkina Faso have set the parliament ablaze as they are enraged over the government’s plans to let their president extend his 27-year rule.

Members of parliament were trying to change the constitution so that President Blaise Compaore, who has been ruling the country since 1987, to stand for re-election again next year, BBC reports.

However, the country’s citizens are not happy with that idea, and have set fire to parliament, the city hall, and the headquarters of the ruling party.

As of the time of this report, the protesters are marching towards the presidential palace, and Burkina Faso’s airport has been shut down.

Five people have died in the course of the protests.

Photo Credit: AFP/BBC