DJIBASSO DEPARTMENTAL HIGH SCHOOL BURKINA FASO

UNITE-PROGRES-JUSTICE

SCHOOL YEAR : 2023/ 2024

ENGLISH PRESENTATION

THEME : DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES (ELECTION)

BURKINA FASO

CLASS: 2 nde A4 TEAM : 07

TEAM’S MEMBERS

1. KOETA Mathilde

2.TRAORÉ Jean Marie vianez

3. KIENOU Léonard

4. KIENOU Worowé

5. TRAORÉ B. Larissa

6. DEMBELE Valérie

TRAORÉ Adele

TEACHER : MR. KABORÉ

 PLAN

INTRODUCTION

I. HISTORICAL CONTEXT

II. Democratic milestones

III. Challenge to democracy

IV. Current state of democracy

V. Future Prospects

CONCLUSION
 INTRODUCTION

Burkina Faso, located in the heart of West Africa, is a country with a rich
history, diverse culture, and resilient people. Despite its economic challenges, it holds
significant reserves of gold. However, it has faced both domestic and external concern
over the state of its economy and human rights.

In this presentation, we will delve into the democratic journey of Burkina Faso.
Democracy, characterized by the principle of holding periodic and genuine elections,
plays a crucial role in any society. It allows citizens living in a representative democracy
to determine the political makeup and future policy direction of their nation's
government. Free and fair elections increase the likelihood of a peaceful transfer of
power and help ensure that losing candidates will accept the validity of the election's
results.

Understanding the importance of democratic principles and elections is essential

in the context of Burkina Faso. As we navigate through this presentation, we will
explore the historical context, democratic milestones, challenges to democracy, the
current state of democracy, the role of the international community, future prospects,
and finally, conclude with some thoughts on the future of democracy in Burkina Faso.

I. HISTORICAL CONTEXT
 Burkina Faso's journey towards democracy has been a complex and challenging
one, marked by periods of authoritarian rule, political instability, and constitutional
changes.

The country gained independence from French colonial rule on August 5, 1960.
The First Republic (1960-1966) was a presidential regime with aspects of a
parliamentary system. However, the country's constitution has been amended eight
times, each amendment affecting, among other things, presidential term limits.

In 1983, Captain Thomas Sankara took power in an internal power struggle. He

adopted radical left-wing policies and renamed Upper Volta to Burkina Faso in 1984.
Sankara's rule, however, was cut short in 1987 when he was ousted and killed in a coup
led by his close aide, Blaise Compaoré.

Blaise Compaoré's rule began in 1987 and lasted for 27 years. During his tenure,
Compaoré introduced limited democratic reforms. However, his attempt to force a
constitutional change to extend his rule sparked near unanimous outrage. This led to a
popular uprising in 2014, ending Compaoré's rule.

The departure of Compaoré opened the door to a competitive electoral process

and marked the beginning of a new era in Burkina Faso's political history. This
transition period, often referred to as the 'transition', was a significant turning point for
the country.

In the next section, we will delve into the democratic milestones that Burkina
Faso achieved following this transition.

II. Democratic milestones

 The democratic journey of Burkina Faso took a significant turn with the
competitive election in 2015. This election was a historic event, marking the freest,
fairest, and most competitive elections since the country's independence from France in
1960. The election saw Roch Marc Christian Kaboré of the Mouvement du peuple pour
le progrès (MPP) elected as president with 53% of the vote. This election signified the
first time Burkina Faso saw power pass from one civilian-led government to another.

This election ushered in a series of reforms that were instrumental in shaping the
democratic landscape of Burkina Faso. Among these were gains in building a culture of
military professionalism and adopting a comprehensive National Security Strategy.
These reforms were significant steps towards strengthening the democratic institutions
of the country.

However, the journey towards democracy was not without its challenges. The
role of civil society and organized labor has been crucial in this process. Civil society
actors, including organized labor, youth movements, and opposition groups, intervened
in the 2014 Burkinabé uprising to prevent Compaoré from extending his reign. This
intervention by civil society actors was a testament to the strength of Burkina Faso's
civil society, which sets the country apart from its neighbors.

In the next section, we will delve into the challenges that democracy in Burkina
Faso has faced.

III. Challenge to democracy

Burkina Faso's path to democracy has been fraught with challenges. One of the
most significant was the military coup in 2022. On September 30, 2022, Burkina Faso's
military leader, President Paul-Henri Damiba, was deposed in the country's second
coup in a year. Army Captain Ibrahim Traoré took charge, dissolving the transitional
government and suspending the constitution. The coup was reportedly due to Damiba's
inability to deal with an armed uprising in the country that had worsened in the past
nine months.

The coup had significant implications. It diverted precious resources, attention,

and personnel from the frontlines of the security and humanitarian crises confronting
the country. This included more than 1,500 violent events and 3,800 fatalities projected
in 2022. Moreover, deaths caused by militant Islamist violence nearly tripled compared
to the 18 months before the January 2022 coup, and violence increased by 46%. This
trend, combined with the spread of extremist activities around Ouagadougou, placed
Burkina Faso on the brink of collapse.

Another major challenge was the indefinite postponement of the 2024 elections.
Elections intended to restore a democratic civilian government in Burkina Faso in July
2024 were deemed "not a priority" and indefinitely postponed by the military junta led
by Captain Ibrahim Traoré in September 2023. Despite Traoré's promise to hold an
election by 2024 or even earlier, his refusal to proceed with the July 2024 transition
suggested his intention to retain his hold on power indefinitely.

These challenges have significantly undermined Burkina Faso's nascent and

hard-earned democratically oriented political process. In the next section, we will delve
into the current state of democracy in Burkina Faso.

IV. Current state of democracy

The current state of democracy in Burkina Faso is marked by the rule of Captain
Ibrahim Traoré and the military junta. Born in 1988, the 34-year-old captain became
the youngest head of state in Africa when he seized power in a coup on September 30,
2022. He overthrew his former comrade, Lt Col Paul-Henri Damiba, accusing him of
failing to quell the Islamist insurgency that has gripped Burkina Faso since 2015.
 Captain Traoré seized power with a pledge to improve security in a nation living
in fear of the militants. However, despite his promises, insecurity worsened following the
takeovers. Attacks by militant Islamists increased in Burkina Faso as they seized
territory in rural areas and encircled cities, leaving the state in control of only about
60% of the country.

The impact on the democratic process and civil liberties has been significant. The
two successive military coups in 2022 eliminated many of the significant political
reforms implemented after the 2014–15 political transition. Burkina Faso's status
declined from Partly Free to Not Free due to the effects of these coups, including the
suspension of the constitution and dissolution of the legislature.

Despite these challenges, civil society and organized labor remain strong forces
for democracy and for the respect of civil liberties. However, Burkinabè also face
continued insecurity and violence from armed militant groups, militia groups, and
government forces, displacing millions of people.

In the next section, we will delve into the role of the international community in
Burkina Faso's democratic journey.

V. Future Prospects

The future of democracy in Burkina Faso is uncertain but not without hope. The
path towards restoring democracy involves several key elements:

1. Strengthened Democratic/Electoral Processes: This includes enhancing the

democratic institutions and processes, particularly through increased citizen
participation. The sooner the postponed referendum can be held, the better.

2. Enhanced Respect for Human Rights: Both government and non-government

actors need to respect human rights. This includes addressing allegations of summary
executions, abductions, and sexual violence.
 3. Increased Community Participation: Community actors play a crucial role in
conflict prevention, including countering violent extremism. This includes the role of
civil society organizations (CSOs) in delivering services, generating information and
evidence, holding governments accountable to their commitments, and advocating for
socio-economic transformation.

4. Role of Civil Society: Civil society groups have a long history of working to
achieve social change in Burkina Faso. These groups will be crucial as the country starts
to rebuild. Today, civil society continues to play a sizable role in Burkina Faso, with
approximately 17,000 non-governmental organizations engaging in basic service
delivery and humanitarian assistance.

5. International Support: The international community, including the African

Union and ECOWAS, plays a crucial role in supporting the restoration of democracy in
Burkina Faso. The United States supports the actions announced by the African Union
and ECOWAS in defense of democracy and in support of the rule of law in Burkina
Faso.

In the next section, we will conclude with some thoughts on the future of
democracy in Burkina Faso.

CONCLUSION

As we conclude our journey through the democratic landscape of Burkina Faso,

it's clear that the country has faced significant challenges. From the 27-year rule of
Blaise Compaoré to the military coups in 2022, Burkina Faso's path to democracy has
been fraught with obstacles.

However, the resilience of the Burkinabè people, the strength of civil society, and
the support of the international community offer hope for the future. Despite the
current challenges, the democratic spirit remains alive in Burkina Faso.
 The future of democracy in Burkina Faso is uncertain, but not without hope. The
path towards restoring democracy involves several key elements, including
strengthened democratic processes, enhanced respect for human rights, increased
community participation, the role of civil society, and international support.

In the end, the future of democracy in Burkina Faso will be determined by the
collective efforts of the Burkinabè people, civil society, and the international
community. It is a journey that requires patience, resilience, and a steadfast
commitment to democratic principles.