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Police in Burkina Faso have staged peaceful demonstrations against corruption and a lack of transparency among their leaders, The Associated Press reports.

According to one protest leader Patrice Sanou, this is the first in a series of the protests and that more would follow.

There have been tensions within the country’s police forces in recent months and the police union has warned authorities about unfair treatment and pay among those guarding private buildings including banks, mining companies and hotels.

The union is asking for written contracts with companies who hire the police.

The recent rise in fears over extremist attacks in the region is another source of pressure on police in this West African nation.