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Gunfire reported in east, north Burkina Faso

Mon May 23, 2011 10:03 AM EDT
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Associated Press
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OUAGADOUGOU — Witnesses say soldiers in Burkina Faso are shooting into the air, the latest in a string of episodes of unrest in the impoverished West African nation.

Tassere Koanda, a resident of Tenkodogo, a city southeast of the capital, said the shootings started in the soldiers' camp and spread to the city Monday morning. Residents in the country's north also reported shootings by soldiers, but said gunfire had stopped Monday.

The reports of shooting come just over a month after a mutiny had threatened President Blaise Compaore's 24-year rule. The president dissolved the government and removed the country's security chiefs but kept himself in power.

Two weeks ago, teachers launched strikes for better pay and thousands of students joined in support of their teachers.

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BXURZ

Stagecraft?,.. or Genuine Discontent?,...

A mutiny by soldiers started April 14 when members of the presidential guard began firing into the air, demanding unpaid housing allowances. By April 18, soldiers in several cities north, south, east and west of Ouagadougou joined in and students followed suit.

Teachers launched strikes last week to ask for better living conditions. Students had also demonstrated in the capital and across the country last week for the same cause, fearing that the absence of teachers would lead to the cancellation of their final exams.

Burkina Faso opposition 'aiming for coup'

Ouagadougou - Burkina Faso's ruling party on Tuesday accused the opposition of trying to stage a coup by calling for President Blaise Compaore's ouster in a series of popular protests http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/Burkina-Faso-opposition-aiming-for-coup-20110503

    Reply#1 - Mon May 23, 2011 6:09 PM EDT
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