There has been some confusion about the subject on my part, but now I’ve managed to get everything straight. The situation is this:
Burkina Faso has a president, Compaoré, who has been in power ever since a military coup in 1987. In 2000, after some heavy protests, it was decided that the constitution should be changed so that a president can only sit for two consecutive periods, that is, ten years. However, some time later, the constitutional court ruled that this law did not apply for the past, which meant that Compaoré has been in power for another two and a half presidential periods after the constitution was changed.
Next year, however, presidential elections are going to be held. According to the constitution, Compaoré cannot run again. But he doesn’t want to give up his power. He wants to change the constitution again. Now, just last week, the government decided that the parliament should vote on if a referendum is to be held early next year. The referendum would be on if the constitution should be changed, and what the opposition here believes is that if the decision to hold a referendum passes, Compaoré is sure to fix the ballot so that he wins and can run for president again.
People here are furious, especially young people. Ever since the decision by the government last Monday night, there have been small spontaneous demonstrations all over Ouagadougou, and we’ve heard stories of young people blocking the streets with barricades of burning tires, making it impossible for people to drive to work. The opposition has gone out with messages encouraging manifestations and civil disobediance. Europeans are being warned though our respective embassies by the consulate of France to be very cautious and avoid any large gatherings of people.
Here in Ouahigouya, though, we haven’t noticed a thing, except for the heated discussions on the radio that Theo and Desiré want to listen to in the car.
On Tuesday, the opposition has called for a nation-wide manifestation. We’ve been told to stay at our guesthouse that day, especially since we have a government registered car. On Wednesday afternoon, the parliament will vote. If the decision to hold the referendum passes, more protests are expected on Thursday.
Things seem to be in limbo here, and we don’t really know what to think. On the one hand, we’re on tight schedule, trying to squeeze in as much fieldwork as possible in the time that we are here. In the villages, everything seems so calm, like nothing could disturb their daily routine of harvesting their fields. On the other hand, we get these messages and warnings from all directions, telling us to be extra careful and to keep our phones charged and plenty of water at home.
Well, we’ll see how this pans out. At least, one can definitely say that we’re in the middle of where the action is.
Katja Malmborg 