Religion Of Burkina Faso

Religious groups enjoy freedom of expression in their publications and broadcasts unless the judicial system determines that they are harming public order or committing slander; this has never occurred. The Ministry of Security grants publishing licenses, and the Superior Council of Information (CSI) grants broadcasting licenses. The Government never has denied a publishing or broadcasting license to any religious group that has requested one. The procedures for applying for publishing and broadcasting licenses are the same for both religious groups and commercial entities. Applications first are sent for review to the Ministry of Information and then forwarded to the Ministry of Security. If the Government does not respond to the application for a publishing license within the required timeframe, the applicant can begin publishing automatically. For radio licenses, before beginning broadcasts the applicant must wait until the Authority for the Regulation of Telecommunications (ARTEL) ... [Read More]

Burkina Faso

Applicants for radio licenses must wait until the Authority for the Regulation of Telecommunications (ARTEL) assigns a frequency and determines that the group's broadcasting equipment is of a professional quality before beginning broadcasts. The Ministry of Security has the right to request samples of proposed publications and broadcasts to verify that they are in accordance with the stated nature of the religious group; however, there were no reports that religious broadcasters experienced difficulties with this regulation. In the case of radio stations, the CSI must be informed of the name of the broadcasting director as well as of the general programming content. Once the broadcast license is granted, the Government regulates the operation of religious radio stations in accordance with the same rules that apply to commercial and state-run stations. Stations must show that their workers are employed full-time, that ARTEL has been paid for the use ... [Read More]

Burkina Faso

According to a 1999 Demographic and Health Survey of 6,445 women nationally, 71.6 percent of the women of Burkina Faso, regardless of class and religion, and often regardless of region or ethnic group, have undergone this procedure. ...

It is common among all of the nation’s 45 provinces, but is particularly widespread in 14 of them. Among more than 50 distinct ethnic groups, only a few such as the Bella do not practice it. Also not practicing it are members of particular castes and secret societies (such as some of the Mossi mask societies in the Koundougou province). Type II or excision is performed on women in the provinces of Mouhoun, Yatenga, Zoundweogo, Naouri, Tapoa, Ganzourgoou, Houet, Kenedougou, Comoe and Kadiogo that includes the capital of Ouagadougou. In Ouagadougou some families, however, are beginning to abandon the practice. ... [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]

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]

Ambassade Américaine à Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso -- Page d'Accueil

Meilleure Présentation avec une Résolution à 800 x 600 [Read More]

Burkina Faso

The security apparatus consists of the armed forces and the gendarmerie, which are controlled by the Ministry of Defense; the national police, controlled by the Ministry of Security; and the municipal police, controlled by the Ministry of Territorial Administration. The Presidential Guard is an autonomous security force, although technically it is subject to the jurisdiction of the armed forces and part of the army. The civilian authorities maintained effective control of the security forces. Some members of the security forces committed serious human rights abuses. ... [Read More]

US Department Of State Post Report

Americans in Ouagadougou spend a lot of time outdoors — swimming, playing tennis, jogging or walking, and enjoying other outdoor sports and activities. Swimming is a year-round pastime and a good way to take advantage of Ouagadougou’s warm temperatures and sunshine. All Embassy houses have swimming pools. Jogging and walking are popular. The Urban Park of Ouagadougou, a protected forest since the 1930’s, is within walking distance for about half of the Embassy residences (and a 10-minute drive for the others). It features shaded trails for running, cycling, bird watching or just sitting on a bench and watching the world pass by. Ouaga has an active chapter of Hash House Harriers who meet twice a month (on Sunday afternoons) to explore the surrounding countryside. The “Hash” is open to the entire family (both walkers and runners), definitely non-competitive, and ends with a cold ... [Read More]

Ambassador's Biography

He was Director of the Africa Bureau's Economic Policy Office from 1999 to 2002, where heworked on a wide array of economic and global issues, including helping the U.S.Government and Africa come to grips with the devastating HIV/AIDS pandemic; implementingthe Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA); tailoring U.S. assistance efforts to takeadvantage of changing circumstances in both Washington and in Africa; and working onAfrica debt policy. He spent almost half of his career on African issues, also serving asthe Economic/Commercial Section Chief in Harare (1991-1995) and in the economic section inNairobi (1984-1988). Ambassador Holmes has spent the other half of his career as anEconomic and, occasionally, Commercial Officer in Egypt (1980-1982) and in Syria(1982-1984); he headed the economic sections in Singapore (1988-1991) and in Sweden(1996-1999); and was Deputy Director of the Office of Sanctions Policy in the Bureau ofEconomic and Business Affairs (1995-1996). ... [Read More]