His stubbornness lasted for 24 hours, and after immense pressure from his citizens the Burkinabe leader has stepped down.

He issued a statement intimating that the presidency was now vacant and that democratic elections would be held within 90 days.

Compaore has been President for 27 years since he forcibly took over power in 1987, and attempts to legitimise a push for further terms in office led to the protests that have finally seen the end of his rule.

Protests in the capital turned violent on Thursday, with exasperated citizens leading attacks on government. The parliament building was burnt down, other important edifices were ransacked and the president was forced to declare ‘martial law’.

Several protestors lost their lives in the process.

He resisted immense pressure from the opposition and the people to resign but his resolve seemed to have finally been worn down.

A military spokesman announced the news to cheering citizenry, with the news expected to bring calm to our immediate northern neighbours.

This ignominious end to the iron rule of one of Africa’s longest serving rulers gives some hope to the capabilities of a determined people to bring down tyranny. Fortunately or unfortunately, this is one route I am absolutely convinced the people of Ghana would never take no matter how bad things get.

We are just too docile as a people.