BIG STEP

Burkina Faso President Steps Down

After massive protests.

Burkina Faso’s longtime president, Blaise Compaore, said in a statement that he has stepped down after protests rocked the country’s capital. Protesters were angry because Compaore was pushing parliament to extend term limits so he could extend his 27-year rule. He took power in a coup in 1987 and has already won four disputed elections. On Thursday, protesters had set fire to the nation’s parliament building, the city hall of the capital Ouagadougou, and the ruling party’s headquarters. In a statement, Compaore said elections would take place in 90 days. Military chief Gen. Honore Traore said he had taken over as head of state “in line with constitutional measures.”