Burkina Faso protests against French presence, demands expulsion

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Demonstrators gathered in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso to protest against the French military presence, coinciding with calls for a major demonstration on August 12.

The rally took place in front of a memorial that was erected in memory of revolutionary leader Thomas Sankara, who was the former president of Burkina Faso. Sankara was assassinated during the 1987 coup d'etat led by Blaise Compaore, who was a French lackey overthrown in a popular uprising in 2014. 

The demonstrators held banners reading "France, the godmother of terrorism, get out", "We are all for the liberation of Burkina Faso", "France is imperialist, tyrant, parasitic, out" and "No to cooperation agreements with France."

Monique Yeli kam, the head of the newly formed coalition of anti-French organizations, called on the departure of the "Campoisene military base, and the termination of the technical assistance agreement and cooperation agreements with France."

"We condemn the economic partnership agreements and the establishment of detachments and military bases on the African continent," she said. 

She stressed that France "strongly adheres to its former African colonial empire, plundering it and exploiting its resources as it wants, igniting hotbeds of terrorism and fueling wars and genocide."

"We are a new generation who are aware of our history and are determined to assume and deserve our independence through more freedom and truth," said Siuba Kendo, a member of the coalition.

The coalition called for nationwide demonstrations on August 12 to demand an end to French politics in all its forms and the departure of the French ambassador.