Burkina Faso Burning

On Thursday, hundreds of demonstrators stormed Burkina Faso’s parliament to rail against a vote that would alter the constitution and allow President Blaise Compaore to extend his 27-year rule. The protests which are now in their third day, have become increasingly violent. The New York Times reports that soldiers are firing “live rounds and [using] tear gas to repel crowds seeking to storm the building.” According to the BBC five people have died in the protests.

Above, protesters pose with a police shield outside parliament in Ouagadougou, Oct. 30.

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Protesters approach parliament in Ouagadougou, Oct. 30.

A protester washes his face near parliament in Ouagadougou, Oct. 30. Police fired tear gas on demonstrators in an attempt to keep them from approaching the building.

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Protesters run from tear gas, Oct. 30.

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Troops face the crowd, Oct. 30.

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Security officials block a road in Ouagadougou, Oct. 29.

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Burkina Faso riot police arrest an opposition supporter in Ouagadougou, Oct. 28.

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Police cordon off access to parliament, Oct. 29.

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Demonstrators hold a sign that reads, in French, “Don’t touch my constitution,” Oct. 28.

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People stand in front of smoke rising from Burkina Faso’s parliament building, Oct. 30.

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Near parliament, Ouagadougou, Oct. 30.

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An official holds a national flag as he flees parliament in Ouagadougou, Oct. 30.

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Soldiers near parliament, Ouagadougou, Oct. 30.

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Soldiers tried to clear the crowd, Oct. 30.

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Demonstrators clash with police in Ouagadougou, Oct. 28.

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