People celebrate in the capital Ouagadougou after Burkina Faso’s embattled President Blaise Compaore announced earlier on October 31, 2014, he was stepping down to make way for elections following a violent uprising against his 27-year rule. Blaise took power in a coup in 1987 but quickly swapped the “democratic revolution’s” Marxist ideals for authoritarian rule.
The 28-nation bloc said it was ready to help with elections, which Compaore said in his resignation statement should be held within 90 days.
Bukina Faso’s army chief Nabere Honore Traore has taken over power and has instituted a transitional body that would conduct elections for the seat of the president in the next 90 days.