The democratic revolution in Burkina Faso

Inaugurated on the 25th of October 2002, the eighth edition of the Ouagadougou International Crafts Exhibition (S.I.A.O) closes this evening, whilst the 16th Tour du Faso enters its second week of racing. A strong link unites these two major events, which have contributed to the development of the international renown and recognition of the country of Burkina Faso. The two events were created in 1984, a few months after the Revolution of the 4th of August 1983 which brought Captain Thomas Sankara to power. 1984 : a turning point in the history of the country, which changed its name from Haute Volta to Burkina Faso, literally " the country of upright men".

The S.I.A.O is a biennial event, which , since its creation, has been a popular success founded on the slogan "consume what we produce". In under two years the S.I.A.O has become the showcase of Burkina Faso know-how, proving to the world that a little African country is capable of producing quality goods and organising an internationally renowned event.

Parallel to this, the Ouagadougou Pan-African Cinema Festival (FESPACO), next programmed for February 2003, has provided a new dimension for the continent’s producers and a world-wide audience for African cinema. A media and artistic success symbolised by the monument in the Place des Cinéastes, representing reels of film and a camera.

Such manifestations reflect the open-mindedness of the current President, His Excellency Blaise Compaoré, whose actions are aimed at making the country more democratic and modern. Since his rise to power in October 1987, during the "Rectification", the Burkina Faso Head of State organised unrestricted presidential elections, which he won twice (1991 & 1998), and gave the opposition an official status. On the 30th of March 2000, the Day of Forgiveness was the occasion for the Presidency to ask the people of Burkina Faso for forgiveness for the political violence and economic injustice of which they have been victims since independence. All Presidents in power since 1960, with the exception of Maurice Yaméogo and Thomas Sankara, deceased, were part of this event, aimed at "softening hearts". On the 5th of May 2001, for the first time in Burkina Faso’s political history, all opposition parties took part in the general elections, creating a well balanced Assembly, with a majority and a real power of opposition (the ADF/RDA), the leader of which, Hermann Yaméogo, is the son of the first President of the free Haute Volta.

Greeting us at his home, where he shares with us the tô, a millet cake, part of the staple diet of the Burkina Faso people, Alexandre Le Grand Rouamba, journalist at the daily newspaper "Le Pays" where he is responsible for sport and religious questions -sport being for him another form of religion-, explains to us that the situation has greatly improved, but that great progress still needs to be made : "The FMI and the World Bank consider Burkina Faso as a good pupil, but the housewife doesn’t see the fruit of these efforts in her basket. There remains much to be done. Let’s acknowledge that Burkina is being transformed into a true democratic state and this revolution is a real step forward for the little country that we are."

To emphasise his statement and demonstrate the international recognition of Burkina, Alexandre le Grand reminds us that the Africa Nations Cup was organised here in 1998 and that in 2004, the Summit of French Speaking Communities will be held in the luxurious and modern area of Ouaga 2000. A real success for a nation that has never renounced its links with France.