Two Soldiers Fight For Burkina Faso Presidency

A leadership crisis emerges in the African nation, as two army officials claim they are the sole successor of ousted president.

Doubt has emerged over who is leading Burkina Faso, after a second soldier announced that he was replacing Blaise Compaore, the impoverished nation's long-serving president.

Gen Honore Traore, the joint chief of staff, had declared he was taking charge at a packed press conference on Friday – sparking renewed protests and sending him into hiding.
His standing is now being threatened by Col Issaac Zida, who has confirmed that he will serve as acting leader because his rival's bid was null and void.

Col Issaac Zida has said his rival's presidential bid is 'null and void'

In a televised address, the colonel said that the nation's borders had been closed and its constitution suspended indefinitely.
Compaore had demanded presidential elections commence within 90 days, but Zida is yet to confirm when a vote will take place.
"I salute the memory of the martyrs of this uprising and bow to the sacrifices made by our people," the soldier said.
"This is not a coup d'etat but a popular uprising. The people have hopes and expectations, and we believe we have understood them."

Gen Honore Traore first declared he was leader, but hasn't re-emerged since

Compaore, who was Burkina Faso's president since 1987, had been seeking to secure a fifth term as leader. In mass protests outside parliament, dozens of demonstrators were shot and three people were killed.
Protesters cheered as they heard news of his resignation on their handheld radios.
"This is a new revolution and a chance to get it right," one shopkeeper said. "At least tomorrow, we are not going to wake up with the same face of the same president."
One law student referred to Compaore's departure as the start of a "sub-Saharan Spring", and insisted that the movement "must continue with all the presidents who are trying to hang on to power in Africa".
According to Zida, Compaore has been "in a safe place" since he left office, but his exact location remains unknown.

Blaise Compaore had been Burkina Faso's president since 1987

The uncertain situation in Burkina Faso is being monitored closely by the US and France, which have become close military allies of the nation in recent years.
Ranked 183rd out of the 186 countries on the UN human development index, poverty is endemic amongst Burkina Faso's 18 million people. Its economic prosperity fluctuates wildly, as it hinges upon gold and cotton prices.