Burkina Faso opposition protests bid to extend rule of longtime president

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso – Thousands of protesters in the West African nation of Burkina Faso are opposing attempts to allow the country's longtime leader to seek another term.

Opposition leaders at Saturday's rally were joined by some 70 former ruling party hardliners who abandoned the party earlier this month in a major political upheaval.

Zephirin Diabre said the demonstration "exposes the myth of the ruling party's invincibility."

Critics believe President Blaise Compaore's creation of a controversial new Senate last year was aimed at changing a rule that limits presidents to two 5-year terms.

Compaore has been in power since 1987. Under the current rule, he would not be able to run again once his current term expires next year.