Hollande warns African leaders who cling to power

Dakar - French President Francois Hollande is taking to task African leaders who seek ways around term limits to extend their reigns.

At a summit of francophone countries in Senegal on Saturday, Hollande praised the people of Burkina Faso, whose demonstrations recently ousted their president of nearly 30 years who had sought to extend his rule even further.

Hollande told the meeting: "What the Burkinabe people did should give pause to those who would like to stay in power, in violation of constitutional rules." Some of those heads of state were in the audience.

Many African countries established two-term limits in their constitutions, but their leaders have persisted in finding ways around such restrictions; some have succeeded and many are still considering such a move.