Analysis - Beyond Burkina Faso, Africa's 'Black Spring' hopes may be premature

A man takes a picture of the burned parliament building in Ouagadougou, capital of Burkina Faso, October 31, 2014. REUTERS/Joe Penney

DAKAR (Reuters) - Inspired by protests in Burkina Faso that ousted one of Africa's longest-serving leaders, opposition activists across much of the continent are hoping for a "Black Spring" to mirror the Arab Spring. The experience of Clement Mierassa suggests their hopes are premature.

Mierassa, an opposition leader in Congo Republic, wanted to capitalise on last week's uprising that ousted Blaise Compaore after he tried to change Burkina Faso's constitution to extend his 27-year rule. He organised a meeting to oppose any similar move by his own veteran President Denis Sassou-Nguesso.