The violent Burkinabe Revolution

The violent Burkinabe Revolution

Antoine Bourgade and Thomas Laissy

Last November Lt. Col. Isaac Yacouba Zida took power in Burkina Faso after president Blaise Compaoré resigned. Political opponents and the African Union protested, issuing an ultimatum.

Lt. Col. Isaac Yacouba Zida

     On October 29th, 2014 Burkina Faso’s president Blaise Compaoré decided to pass a law that would have allowed him to extend his current 27-year mandate. Violent protests ensued. To calm the rebellion and pacify his people, Compaoré repealed the law and proposed to organize new presidential elections, open to all. But it was already too late, the anti-government revolution had begun… 

     In view of all the demonstrations against his government, Blaise Compaoré had no choice but to leave power, giving up his idea of presidential elections. Suddenly, Burkina Faso found itself without a president. Soon after,  on November 1st, 2014  Lt. Col. Isaac Yacouba Zida proclaimed himself chief of the transitional government. Even if this announcement was well received by the population, the situation didn’t improve.   

    Indeed, Zida’s action plan was to rule the transition by military force until new presidential elections could take place. Political opponents didn't share his point of view and a struggle for democracy began between the Army and civilians.  At least 30 people have died so far and more than 100 people were injured during clashes with police in Ouagadougou.

      The United States and the European Union have asked Zida to accelerate the process of transition in order to avoid more anti-government demonstrations. Moreover, on November 3rd, 2014 the African Union declared that Burkina Faso had just 15 days to hand power back to the civilians or the country could risk penalties. 

“We are asking the armed forces to transfer power to civilian authorities”

Simeon Oyono Esono, head of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council.

     At this stage, Zida has opened talks with politicians and civilians. Political observers think this revolution could lead to a domino effect in other countries such as Benin, Congo or Togo where Presidents don’t want to leave power.

Sources :


-http://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2014/11/02/burkina-faso-le-regime-de-transition-assoit-son-pouvoir_4516681_3212.html
-http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/monde/20141030.OBS3684/burkina-faso-pourquoi-le-pays-s-est-embrase.html  
-http://www.france24.com/fr/20141103-union-africaine-ultimatum-15-jours-militaires-burkinabe-restituer-le-pouvoir-civil-isaac-zida-depart-compaore