The Wall Street Journal quotes Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham on protests in Burkina Faso and the burning of several government buildings there:
Still, on the world stage, Mr. Compaore has been a steadfast ally to France, the country’s former colonizer. In August, he traveled to Washington, briefing American officials on his efforts to negotiate peace in northern Mali, the scene of a simmering, Islamist-tinged rebellion.
“A lot of people are going to be shaking their heads after this and wondering what happened,” said J. Peter Pham, Africa director at Washington D.C.’s Atlantic Council, who hosted Mr. Compaore.