There are fresh heavy-weight attempts to return Burkina Faso to civilian rule.

Three West African leaders are in the capital for talks with military chiefs on how to achieve a smooth transition as quickly as possible.

The presidents of Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal are mediating in the crisis after longtime President Blaise Compaore was forced to leave office.

Opposition member Rose Marie Compaore says action is needed fast: “If there is no solution in the next 12 to 13 days, the people will go back to demonstrating. Those who died during the demonstrations should not have died for nothing. But we think that something will happen before the 12 days expire.”

Blaise Compaore quit amid mass demonstrations over his plans to change the constitution and extend his 27 years in office.

With concerns about stability in the country, Ghana is suggesting a transition period of up to a year before elections are held.