Trial of former Burkina Faso's government set for March

Former Burkina Faso president, Blaise Compaore is to go on trial in March for his part in the violent crackdown on the 2014 popular uprising that overthrew him, the supreme court prosecutor has said.

Other members of his former government will also face justice including the ex-prime minister Luc Adolphe Tiao, prosecutor Armand Ouedraogo said.

The prosecutor further said that of the 34 members of Compaore’s government, seven will be tried in absentia.

Compaore lost power after 27 years following a popular uprising in October 2014 against his attempts to change the constitution to remain in office.

33 people were killed during the crackdown on the demonstration, according to official sources. However the Compaore regime is being prosecuted for just 7 deaths and the wounding of 82 people in the capital.