President Of Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is an ethnically integrated, secular state. Most of Burkina's people are concentrated in the south and center of the country, sometimes exceeding 48 per square kilometer (125/sq. mi.). This population density, high for Africa, causes migrations of hundreds of thousands of Burkinabe to Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana, many for seasonal agricultural work. These flows of workers are obviously affected by external events; the September 2002 coup attempt in Cote d'Ivoire and the ensuing fighting there have meant that hundreds of thousands of Burkinabe returned to Burkina Faso. A plurality of Burkinabe are Muslim, but most also adhere to traditional African religions. The introduction of Islam to Burkina Faso was initially resisted by the Mossi rulers. Christians, both Roman Catholics and Protestants, comprise about 25% of the population, with their largest concentration in urban areas. ... [Read More]

American Embassy Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso -- Home Page

All Other Issues   This site was last updated on July 13, 2005   This site is produced and maintained by the American Embassy Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views contained therein. Privacy Act link [Read More]

Burkina Faso

The Constitution provides for the right to expeditious arraignment and access to legal counsel after a detainee has been charged before a judge; however, authorities did not ensure due process. The law limits detention for investigative purposes without charge to a maximum of 72 hours, renewable for a single 48-hour period; however, police rarely observed these provisions in practice. The average time of detention without charge was 1 week, and the law allows judges to impose an unlimited number of 6-month preventive detention periods. It was not unusual for defendants without access to legal counsel to be detained for weeks or months before appearing before a magistrate. In some cases, prisoners were held without charge or trial for a longer period than the maximum sentence that they would have received if convicted of the alleged offense. There was a pretrial release system; however, it was unknown how often it was used. In early October, security forces arrested ... [Read More]

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 Speakers with PAO and Abomey City Council MembersFormer State Senator Fred Whiting and former Lt. Governor Nancy Hillard, both of South Dakota, described the principles and advantages of decentralized government to municipal officials and members of NGOs, in Porto Novo, Cotonou, Abomey and Parakou June 20 through 25.  The audiences were enthusiastic and interested, and asked a number of perceptive questions about fitting local democratic government into a traditional African context.  The discussions kindled enthusiasm and interest in decentralization. 1111 1111 11111111111 1111 [Read More]

Millennium Challenge Corporation Announces Grant for Burkina Faso - US Department of State

Burkina Faso’s Threshold Program is a pilot program that demonstrates a commitment by the Government of Burkina Faso (GOBF) to improve its performance on the “Girls’ Primary Education Completion Rates” indicator, one of the indicators used in determining Millennium Challenge Account (“MCA”) eligibility.  This Program will allow the GOBF to both expand and measure the impact of various types of interventions known to have a positive impact on girls’ primary school completion rates and, if as effective as believed, will form the basis for practical solutions that could be utilized in a broader, country-wide effort. ... [Read More]

Burkina Faso

The Constitution provides citizens with the right to change their government peacefully through multiparty elections; however, in practice citizens were unable to exercise this right fully due to the continued dominance of the President and his ruling party. In the 1998 presidential election, President Compaore won 88 percent of the vote; 56 percent of the eligible voters went to the polls. The two candidates who opposed the President provided only token opposition and reportedly were persuaded by the Government to run for the presidency to help create the appearance of a contested election. National observers identified a number of systemic weaknesses in the electoral code that precluded a totally regular and transparent vote, and a coalition representing a number of opposition parties boycotted the election. Nevertheless, neither of the two candidates opposing President Compaore contested the results. ... [Read More]

Burkina Faso 2000 Post Report

Many modern government buildings and development officesare located between the U.S. Embassy and the downtown area. La Maison du Peuple (the Houseof the People) is a large auditorium, a commanding structure in the center of town, wheremany cultural activities are held. Densely cultivated plots surround three barrages (waterreservoirs or manmade lakes) situated at the edge of town. This area provides a pleasantviewing and walking space as well as a year-round supply of fresh produce. The HotelSilmande, Ouagadougou’s luxury hotel, is located near one of these barrages. Otherpoints of interest include the bronze factory, a new Artisans’ village, the NationalMuseum, the ceremony of the Mogho Naba, the University of Ouagadougou complex, and anumber of public sculptures and monuments. ... [Read More]

Country Commercial Guide

The death of a prominent journalist in December 1998sparked nationwide demonstrations and led to the formation of an independent investigatorybody that implicated members of the Presidential Guard in the assassination. In May 1999,President Compaor� appointed a council of wisemen comprised of former heads of state andreligious leaders to develop recommendations for reform of the country's political andjudicial institutions. ... [Read More]

V. Country Narratives -- Countries A through G

Cyprus is a destination country for women trafficked from Eastern and Central Europe for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Traffickers who forced women into prostitution continued to fraudulently recruit victims for work as dancers in cabarets and nightclubs on short-term "artiste" visas, for work in pubs and bars on employment visas, or for illegal work on tourist or student visas. There was increasing evidence of Chinese women being trafficked for sexual exploitation in Cyprus. The Government of Cyprus does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. Cyprus made some progress in its anti-trafficking efforts over the past year. The new police anti-trafficking unit produced successful results and showed vigilance in combating the problem. Government recognition of the problem improve ... [Read More]

News from Washington - U.S. Department of State

News from Washington Flexibility over Farm Tariffs Seen Advancing WTO NegotiationsUSTR's Allgeier sees some progress at China mini-ministerialTrade ministers meeting in China have moved to more flexible positions on reducing agricultural tariffs, thus making possible advances in long-stalled World Trade Organization negotiations, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Peter Allgeier tells the press following the informal mini-ministerial meeting. He says the United States and the European Union moved away from their opposite approaches on agricultural tariffs and toward alternatives offered b ... [Read More]