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Sub Saharan Africa

Burkina Faso

 Flag of Burkina Faso

Last reviewed: 25 February 2009

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POLITICS

Following domestic and international pressure, Compaore, now retired from the Army, instituted a highly controlled process of democratisation in 1990/91. Under a new multi-party constitution, an Executive Presidential system was introduced, with a 107–member (since increased to 111) National Assembly, elected for 5 years. Initially, Presidential tenure was limited to 2 terms of 7 years. The tenure limitation was later abolished in 1997, but restored again in 2000 although each term was reduced to 5 years – this provision to take effect in 2005 at the start of Compaore's current term.

Under the new constitution, the first Presidential elections were held in December 1991, but the opposition boycotted. Compaore won unopposed on a 25% turnout. His party, the CDP, and its allies won the majority of seats to the National Assembly in legislative elections in May 1992, and again in May 1997, but lost their overall majority in the May 2002 legislative elections.

The opposition largely boycotted the Presidential election of December 1998, which Compaore won with 87% of the votes on a 56% turnout. As expected, and in spite of opposition protests, Compaore stood for a third term in Presidential elections held on 13 November 2005. He won with 80.3% of the vote against 11 other candidates. In the legislative elections of May 2007 the ruling CDP won a comfortable majority of 73/111 seats, regaining their grip on the parliament. 2007 saw the 20th anniversary of the assassination of Thomas Sankara and the coming to power of President Compaore. Supporters of the late Sankara, a revered figure for many in West Africa, used the occasion to express discontent with the current regime.

BBC News Country Profile: Burkina Faso

HUMAN RIGHTS

There are many reported human rights concerns in the country. There is a vocal human rights movement, and the Government set up a National Human Rights Commission in 2001. But there are several high level cases which have not been investigated, including the death of Sankara in October 1987 and the murder of Norbert Zongo, an independent journalist, in December 1998. The Trades Unions, the students and other civil society groups play a significant political role, at least in the capital. Strikes and demonstrations are common as a means of putting pressure on the government. These activities are largely tolerated.

Human Rights Annual Report 2006

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Contacts

Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou, British Honorary Consulate

Address:

Mr Patrick de La lande
Honorary Consulate of UK in Burkina Faso
01 BP 6490 Ouagadougou 01 BURKINA FASO

Based at ICI, Initiatives Conseil International
Impasse Thévenoud, 330
Secteur 01 of Ouagadougou

Telephone:

(226) 50 30 88 60

Fax:

(226) 50 31 25 43

Email: consulat-uk@fasonet.bf

Office hours:

 

Burkina Faso