Burkina Faso government seeks referendum that could extend president's term -minister

OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) - Burkina Faso's government will submit a bill for parliament to call a referendum on removing a two-term limit for the presidency, the interior minister said after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. The step is the latest move by supporters of President Blaise Compaore, who has been in power since 1987, to push through changes that would allow the president to stand for re-election next year when his last term comes to an end. Jereome Bougouma, minister for territorial administration and security, did not say when the bill would be submitted or when the government hopes the proposed referendum would take place. Compaore has not publicly said he wants to stand for re-election but the proposed revision has raised political tensions in the West African state, which has become a key player in regional diplomacy and security issues under Compaore. The country is a minor gold producer but regularly faces food crises. Compaore and his allies must now secure an outright majority of the 127-seat National Assembly for the bill to be adopted. His CDP party won 70 seats in a 2012 vote but it has suffered defections over the proposed constitutional changes. "Today we have the proof that those in power want to fiddle with our constitution. We will now see if the members of the National Assembly go along with the wishes of the people or those of one man," said Benewende Stanislas Sankara, an opposition leader.