Army mutiny spreads in Burkina Faso

18/04/11 15:33 CET

world news

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An army mutiny that broke out in Burkina Faso is spreading to other parts of the West African state.

Protests are now reported in Kaya in the north as well as Po and Tenkodogo.

The disturbances started in the capital Ouagadougou when soldiers and presidential guards revolted over unpaid housing allowances.

Violence erupted on Thursday and has led to days of looting.

The latest violence saw local police join the protests for the first time.

President Blaise Compaore, in power since a 1987 coup, has sacked his government and appointed a new leader of the armed forces to try to bring the unrest under control.

A dawn to dusk curfew is now in force the capital.

Burkina Faso is close to the bottom of the UN’s Human Development Index, which measures general well being it is ranked at 161 out 169 nations.

More about: Army, Burkina Faso, Clashes and riots

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