Towards the end of Compaoré’s regime?

It's been months since people have been protesting against Burkina Faso president Compaoré’s intention to organize a referendum in order change the constitution and run for a 6th term in the 2015 presidential elections. Since last May, tens of thousands of Burkinabe came out to say no to the referendum.

Blaise Compaoré who for months remained silent on the rumors about his next bid came out of his shell on October 21 by announcing a vote on a constitutional amendment at the National Assembly on October 30, knowing that due to the massive fraud in the last parliamentary elections, his party members occupy two thirds of the seats ie 73 out of 111.

This announcement was not well received by the Burkinabe people who are tired of 27 years of dictatorship of the Compaoré regime that has made ​​the country one of the poorest on the continent with the lowest literacy rate in the world.

Yesterday October 27, Burkinabe women have taken the lead by protesting with their cooking utensils to denounce the coup. The opposition has also announced a civil disobedience which comes into force this Tuesday, October 28 and called on people to protest in cities across the country. In the capital Ouagadougou and Bobo Dioulasso the second largest city in the country, the mobilization was humongous. An estimated 1 million people came out to say no to the amendment of the constitution.

Internationally, the United States and the European Union that have always kept quiet on Compaore’s mischiefs dissociated themselves from the latter by calling for the respect of current legislations. Could Compaoré count on his power thirsty African colleagues to impose his choice to the people of Burkina Faso? Well, rumors say that the Togolese military would have joined those of Burkina Faso to quell protests this Tuesday. And given the close relationship between Compaoré and Gnassingbé, it does not surprise anyone especially since Faure Gnassingbé has rejected constitutional reforms in Togo to seek a third term in 2015. Do we not say that birds of a feather flock together? Well, we'll see if the forces of oppression will prevail over those of freedom and change.

Blaise Compaoré’s 27 years old ship worn by killings, looting, arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture and lies is at serious risk of sinking in the face of this huge wave of Burkinabe determined to end their oppression.