Burkina Faso: Power to the People

Burkina Faso residents march through Ouagadouga with spatulas (x)

Blaise Compaore had been President of Burkina Faso for nearly 27 years when the former military leader decided to extend him term. Residents of the African nation took to the streets of Ouagadougou, the capital, to defy this potential parliamentary measure. The unrest was violent and involved protesting at governmental edifices, setting fire to parliament and ransacking local television. Parliament dissolved on Thursday, October 30th and Compaore resigned. Under marital law Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Zida took power, despite backlash from citizens. Burkina Faso is now facing pressure to return to civilian rule or face sanctions by the African Union and other Western allies. A charter was created that outlines a 90-member parliament, and proposes a special college to elect a transitional president. Talks between Zida and opposition leaders produced this interim government whereas military officials and Compaore's political allies were not permitted to take part. Presidential and legislative elections are expected to take place in 2015.

 This shake up of Burkina Faso governance is demonstrative of Article 21 in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 21 outlines the tenets of civilian rule such as "Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives," and "The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures."

Sources

Protests force out Burkina president

Burkina Faso talks