Thousands Protest against Extending Burkina President's Mandate

At least 10,000 people marched in Burkina Faso's capital Saturday to protest against plans by President Blaise Compaore that could allow him to extend his mandate by another five years, police said.

The rally in Ouagadougou was called by the opposition over a planned change to the constitution which currently limits the president to two five-year terms. Compaore is set to reach that limit next year.

"We are tired of Compaore's rule," shouted some in the crowd in the capital's main square, as others carried signs saying "2015 - the terminus for Blaise Compaore".

"Compaore has to go. I'm 26 and I have only known one president. It's not normal," said Reine Kabore, a student at the rally.

Burkina Faso's opposition leader Zephirin Diabre called Saturday's protest an "historic day" as rallies were also reported in other cities around the west African country.

"The people are taking a stand in this free and republican protest to send Compaore into retirement in 2015," he said.

Compaore, who will be 63 next month, seized power in a 1987 coup and has backed constitutional change before to extend his rule.

He first served two seven-year terms (1991-98 and 1998-2005) as president and then a change to the constitution allowed him to serve two five-year mandates.

Opposition figures had accused Compaore last month of preparing a "constitutional coup" after he mentioned plans for a referendum on changes to article 37 on presidential term limits.

Compaore has so far been evasive about whether he would run again in 2015.