Burkina Faso’s long time ruler Blaise Compaore is refusing to step down, even as his country is in chaos.  Protesters stormed the parliament and made off with computers and furniture – all in protest to Compaore’s plan to change the constitution to allow him to extend his 27-year rule.

“We are calling on the people to show that they are against it,” said main opposition leader, Zephirin Diabre.  “The resignation of President Blaise Compaore is the only thing that can bring peace to the country.”

Compaore took power in a coup in 1987 and has since been more or less elected four times.  But protesters say that’s more than enough, and tension has been building in the capital Ouagadougou.  Parliament scheduled a vote on Thursday for changing the constitution, which set off the melee.

“I was inside when the demonstrators stormed in.  I was put in secure place by security people of the parliament,” said opposition lawmaker Ablasse Ouedraogo, who made it out as flames began engulfing parliament.  “Now it is difficult to say what happens next but things are out of control because the demonstrators do not listen to anyone.”

Compaore now says he wants to stay on for a year to guide the transitional government.  He’s been a strong ally of the US and France, which use Burkina Faso to launch operations against Islamic militants in the region.  The US released a statement welcoming Compaore’s decision to leave in 2015, but the protesters sure seem to want to move up that schedule.