Soldiers go on rampage over pay in Burkina Faso

Soldiers shot into the air, stole cars and looted shops yesterday in the capital, Ouagadougou, as protests by military guards against unpaid housing allowances spread.

The presidential compound was calm yesterday after gunfire erupted there overnight. President Blaise Compaoré apparently was not in the compound. Unrest that started from two presidential guard barracks spread to Camp Lamizana in western Ouagadougou, and Camp Guillaume Ouedraogo in the centre, with soldiers looting and burning the homes of Compaoré aides.

A government statement said that the problem was being "sorted out". Colonel Moussa Cissé, spokesman for the army, said that so far there were no casualties and negotiations were under way with the soldiers.