The crisis in Burkina Faso, which has been beset by weeks of violent protests, is being closely monitored by the African Union, the body's top official told reporters in Washington Wednesday.

"For the moment, it seems that the situation is not yet out of control, so we are watching and monitoring the situation there closely with the Burkina Faso authorities," said Jean Ping, president of the commission of the African Union, who was here for talks with US officials.

The West African country has been roiled by a series of unprecedented demonstrations over the past two months, including a chaotic army mutiny and student riots against police that left several people dead.

Other protests that have shaken the destitute, coup-plagued nation since February have been staged by magistrates, shopkeepers, the opposition, unions and civil society.

Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore, who took power in a coup in 1987, has taken various measures to try to quell the unrest, including ordering the payment of bonuses to soldiers, dissolving his government and firing his military chiefs.