Protesters set Burkina Faso’s parliamentary building on fire

Protesters in Burkina Faso on Thursday stormed the national assembly complex in Ouagadougou, capital of the country, chanting anti-government songs and disrupting proceedings of the lawmakers.

Witness told Reuters that the police initially succeeded in using tear gas canisters to disperse the mob, but they regrouped in larger numbers and broke into the building, setting parts of it on fire.

The protesters had taken to the streets in the past few days to express their displeasure with the decision of the house to vote on a bill that would allow President Blaise Compaore to seek another five-year term.

Compaore was sworn into office in 1987.

Many lawmakers appeared to be able to reach the chamber, before it was stormed.

As at the time of filing this report, the protesters had gained access to the plenary and were vandalising the chambers.