2014 Burkina Faso uprising
2014 Burkina Faso uprising | ||||
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![]() Thousands of protesters march through Ouagadougou | ||||
Date | 28 October 2014[1] – 3 November 2014[2] | |||
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The 2014 Burkina Faso uprising was a series of demonstrations and
General
Background
Following an amendment in 2000, the
In regards to the
The
Protests
Initial
Protests started in late October.
30 October

The most serious events occurred on 30 October with the gathering of tens of thousands of people.
The
Many MPs also fled to an unnamed nearby hotel.
31 October
Following Diabré's call, the next day, protesters then gathered at Ouagadougou's central Place de la Nation and outside the army headquarters amidst reports of a tense standoff at the latter with chants of "fulfill your responsibilities or we will do so ourselves."[20] By the end of the day Compaoré had resigned and, though there was an initial dispute in the presidency, by 1 November, Zida was declared interim president.
Post-resignation
On 1 November, Ouagadougou Mayor Simon Compaoré led volunteers on "Operation Mana Mana" (Operation Clean-Clean in Dyula) to clear the streets, which earned him praise on social media.[10] A coalition of unnamed opposition parties also issued a statement that read:[7]
The victory of the popular uprising - and consequently the management of the transition - belongs to the people and should not in any way be confiscated by the army. Our consultation reaffirmed that this transition should be democratic and civilian in character.
Their joint statement also called for a "democratic and civilian transition. The victory born from this popular uprising belongs to the people, and the task of managing the transition falls by right to the people. In no case can it be confiscated by the army."[16]
A demonstration was called at the Place de la Nation for the morning of 2 November. On 1 November, soldiers loyal to Zida patrolled the streets of Ouagadougou after his early morning radio announcement of assuming the role of interim head of state in order to avoid pandemonium during the democratic transition. Protests continued at the Place de la Nation demanding civilian control of a new government instead of a military subversion of what was seen as a grassroots uprising. At the television studio of RTB he said: "This is not a coup d'état but a popular uprising. I salute the memory of the martyrs of this uprising and bow to the sacrifices made by our people." He also called for the African Union and ECOWAS' support for the transition.[7]
In the end,
Response

Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport authorities in Dakar were quoted by The Guardian as having confirmed Compaoré was in Senegal, but there was later dispute as to his location,[1][13] although his presence outside the country was affirmed.[29] A communique read on Radio Omega at 17:00 reported that Compaoré had "dissolved government," declared a state of emergency and made an appeal to "stay calm."[8] He later said he was prepared to leave office at the end of the transition.[30] Compaoré then said that he would retain his position for a year under a transitional government and then hand over power. He also added he was lifting the "state of siege" he had previously declared.[31]
Communications Director Ibrahim Sakande announced the state of emergency with the "chief of the armed forces is in charge of implementing this decision." The reason given by Compaoré was to "create conditions for change," the statement continued. "I'm calling on the leaders of the political opposition to put an end to the protests. I'm pledging from today to open talks with all the actors to end the crisis."
Union for Progress and Reform President Zéphirin Diabré[33] called on the military to side with "the people" and called for Compaoré's resignation. Opposition activist Emile Pargui said: "October 30 is Burkina Faso's black spring, like the Arab Spring."[8] Reports in the French media also indicated Compaoré's brother, Francis,[13] was arrested as he tried to flee the country, while Lougué's statements suggested the army may step in to remove Compaoré from power.[1] Opposition figure[clarification needed] Simon Compaoré (not related) said: "It is absolutely necessary for Blaise Compaoré to leave power and for a transitional government to take over. Talks are taking place with General Lougue ... but there is no agreement yet." The military command announced it would issue a statement later in the day; other unnamed opposition leaders announced having held talks with Lougué on forming a transitional government.[15] Following Compaoré's pledge to "open talks with all the actors to end the crisis," Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Honoré Nabéré Traoré then made an announcement that a transitional government would run the country until an election within 12 months. He also announced a curfew to be in place from 19:00 to 6:00. The national borders have also been closed.[34] The transitional government would occur after all-party consultations.[20]
Radio Omega FM Ouaga said that "revolution 2.0" (in reference to the popular movement led by Thomas Sankara in 1983,[1] whose eventual overthrow and assassination was blamed on Compaoré[13]) has been called a victory by the opposition.[1]
After the violence peaked on 30 October, the bill was withdrawn from parliament, according to rushed statement by Communications Minister Alain Edouard Traore. Compaoré then also called for "calm and serenity" on Twitter.[1]
Resignation
Within 24 hours of the 30 October events, Compaoré maintained he was still president and would lead a transitional government.

Later in the day, Compaoré announced he had left the presidency and that there was a "power vacuum;" he also called for a "free and transparent" election within 90 days.
By 1 November, Compaoré had fled to
National unity government
On 3 November, Zida said a
Talks to choose the head of a transitional government, involving political parties and representatives of civil society, mediated by ECOWAS/AU regional leaders, followed. Although the parties involved agreed that the transitional leader should be a civilian and that the original timetable for holding an election in November 2015 should be maintained, there was difficulty in agreeing on a transitional leader and tension between the formerly ruling CDP and those who had opposed Compaoré.[45]
After initial reluctance, the army, represented by Colonel August Denise Barry, participated briefly in continuing talks held on 8 November. It was also reported that, despite objections from the opposition,[who?] Zida said in an interview that the CDP must be included in the talks. Jeune Afrique also published an interview with Compaoré in which he alleged that "part of the opposition was working with the army" to plot his overthrow and that "history will tell us if they were right." He added that he would "not wish for his worst enemy" to be in Zida's place.[46]
Zida also dismissed threats from the AU over the two-week deadline to hand power to civilians, as well as the threat of sanctions if it is ignored. Instead Zida said "we are not afraid of sanctions." The military also agreed to hold an election the following year but not on the choice of an interim leader. Zida added that the military "care[s] much more about stability" than threats. He said of the group that "we have waited on the African Union in moments when it should have shown its fraternity and its friendship but instead was not there. It's unfortunate but it's not too late." AU's deputy chairperson,
By mid-November, a framework was agreed upon unanimously by political, military and civil leaders, even though a leader was not named. The intention was to return to civilian rule and prepare for the election in 2015. The agreement also entails an interim president chosen by a special college composed of religious, military, political, civil and traditional leaders; the president would then name a prime minister to appoint a 25-minister government and a 90-member national transitional council as a legislative body, while the acting president would be disallowed from contesting the election. Balai Citoyen's Herve Kam said: "Today was the day of compromise. Both soldiers and civilians agree on a civilian transition. The institutions of the transition will be led by civilians."[49] United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed and congratulated the adoption of the Charter of the Transition.[50]
Reactions
- Supranational
- African Union — A statement was issued expressing "profound concern" over the events and called on all parties to remain calm.[51] Another statement was later issued asserting: "The Chairperson of the Commission...stresses the duty and obligation of the defense and security forces to place themselves at the disposal of the civilian authorities who should lead the transition." The Peace and Security Council met over the situation on 3 November.[7] Its leader, Simeon Oyono Esono, said:[24]
We ask the armed forces to transfer power to the civil authorities, and the council has determined a period of two weeks for the transfer. The African Union is convinced that the change has been against democracy. However, we know that popular pressure led to the resignation of the president. Having taken note of the origin of the popular revolt which led the military to assume power, we determined a period of two weeks, and after that period we are going to apply sanctions.
- ECOWAS — A statement was issued that expressed concern of a possible coup d'état and that it "would not recognise unconstitutional accessions to power." It further called for "the necessity to respect the principles of democratic and constitutional government."[52]
- At the behest of the AU,[2] and under the auspices of ECOWAS,[53] African leaders arrived in the country after 3 November and met opposition politicians, Compaore's supporters, religious leaders and civil society groups. The group included Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, Senegal's Macky Sall and Ghana's John Mahama, who led the delegation,[53] arrived in the country to mediate the crisis and seek an interim leader. Unnamed opposition leaders stormed out of a meeting on 5 November with Mathias Tankoano, a member of an unnamed civil society delegation saying: "We can't sit in the same room as those who are to blame for the deaths of the victims whose bodies we have not yet even buried. They should be prosecuted for the deaths and for acts against the constitution that have resulted in violence in our country." Yet the three presidents were scheduled to continue to find a resolution.[44] Union leader Joseph Tiendrebeogo said: "If everyone agrees, there is no reason that the transition shouldn't be done within two weeks."[2] Mahama said that with the election due next year an interim administration could lead the country into the scheduled date with the interim administration ineligible to stand; he was supported by Sall and Jonathan.[53] Shortly after the Burkina Faso uprising, ECOWAS considered a proposal to restrict presidential mandates to a maximum of two terms in office, but after opposition from Togo and Gambia, the idea was abandoned in May 2015.[54]
European Union — called for scrapping the proposed constitutional amendment. It added that the measure could jeopardise Burkina Faso's stability.[8]
- Economic Community of West African States, and to find an acceptable agreement which conforms to the constitution."[23] While U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon backed mediation effort by AU and ECOWAS, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said consultations with all parties seek "to ensure a democratic civilian-led transition in Burkina Faso. [The mission] will continue its efforts to help resolve the crisis in line with the national constitution."[44]
- States
Belgium — The Foreign Ministry issued a statement reading: "Currently, all travel to Burkina Faso is not advised. Belgians in the country should also avoid demonstrations and rallies, monitor media coverage and learn about current developments."[55]
France — The European Union statement was echoed,[8] with an appeal for restraint from all sides. Local media reported that the French ambassador had met unnamed opposition leaders.[15] It also "deplored" the violence.[12] France is the former colonial power, which still hosts special forces troops in the country.[15] President François Hollande later said France would "contribute to calming" the situation[16]
- Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that it was "closely monitoring" the situation. "We believe that the solution to domestic issues must be within the legal field. We hope that all the political forces of Burkina Faso to show restraint and political responsibility."[56]
Taiwan - The Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that relations with Burkina Faso would remain unchanged after Compaoré's resignation. Burkina Faso is one of only 22 states with full diplomatic relations with Taiwan.[57]
United States — Concern was raised over the proposed constitutional amendment.[8] White House National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan issued a statement which said the United States was deeply concerned by the 30 October situation and called on all sides to cease the violence.[15] The embassy in Ouagadougou issued a statement that asserted the United States was "deeply concerned" by the violence and that it had urged "all parties including the security forces" to seek peace.[34] An unnamed U.S. official also said the country urged "a transfer of power in accordance with the constitution."[16]
- Pan-African citizenry
Citizens of other African countries, seeing the scenes broadcast across the country, asked if the Burkinabé events were successful whether they could be replicated elsewhere. Social media sites were abuzz with Africans pointing at the respective governments who sought to hold on to power.[37] The Twitter hashtag "#lwili" was used for the Burkinabé events in reference to the traditional Burkinabe cloth Lwili Peendé.[5]
- Media
The Guardian said the events could be "a promising break with the trend set by various African rulers finding elasticity in constitutional limits, including Chad, Gabon, Guinea, Namibia, Togo and Uganda."[1] The Christian Science Monitor cited unnamed people terming this an African Spring and that it could serve as a warning to leaders like Rwanda's Paul Kagame who are trying to abolish term limits.[13] Parallels were also drawn with the Arab Spring.[16] Al Jazeera asked if there would be repercussions across West Africa and whether this was an uprising or a coup, though there were no Burkinabé on their panel.[58]
Risk management firm Red24's Ryan Cummings said that "we saw this was a regime that was crumbling" citing Compaoré's loss of support within the military and his own party. He added that "Compaoré as much as he was vilified by the local population he was a key ally of the west… without him there’s no guarantee the status quo will persist. The country itself is quite key for regional stability…There’s going to be a void and that could catalyze a lot of extremist groups and this could see other countries being destabilised."
See also
- 2015 Burkinabe coup d'état
- List of protests in the 21st century
- 2007-2008 Senegalese protests
- 2008 protests in Burkina Faso
References
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- ^ a b c d e "Burkina Faso crisis: African leaders in army handover talks". BBC News. 5 November 2014.
- ^ a b "Call to blockade Burkina Faso parliament". Yahoo News. 30 October 2014.
- ^ a b "Blaise Campoare : chronologie d'une chute et perspectives pour le Burkina (...) - leFaso.net, l'actualité au Burkina Faso" (in French).
- ^ a b c d e Mackey, Robert (31 October 2014). "Street-Level Views of the Protests in Burkina Faso". The New York Times. New York City. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
- ^ Boukari Ouoba (14 December 2016). "A triumpf for young people". D+C, development and cooperation. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
- ^ a b c d e "Burkina Faso opposition parties, African Union reject army takeover". Reuters. Retrieved 3 November 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Burkina Faso parliament set ablaze". BBC News. 30 October 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
- ^ Kingsley Kobo. "Burkina Faso: Ghost of 'Africa's Che Guevara'".
- ^ a b c d "Two days, three leaders and a tricky transition for Burkina Faso". Retrieved 3 November 2014.
- ^ "Call to blockade Burkina Faso parliament". MSN. Archived from the original on 31 October 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
- ^ a b c d e "Burkina Faso Parliament set ablaze in protest over President". The Asian Age. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Jason Patinkin (30 October 2014). "Could Burkina Faso protests signal end of president's 27-year rule?". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
- ^ "World." Asian Age. 1 November 2014. p8.
- ^ a b c d e f "Burkina army imposes interim government after crowd burns parliament". Reuters. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Thousands protest against post-coup army rule in Burkina Faso". France 24. Archived from the original on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 3 November 2014.
- ^ "Burkina Faso's Ouagadougou Airport Closed Amidst Protests; All Flights Canceled". International Business Times. 30 October 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
- ^ "Ministers flee as Burkina Faso's national assembly building burns". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
- ^ a b c d "Burkina Faso general takes over as Compaore resigns". BBC News. 31 October 2014.
- ^ a b c "Burkina Faso crisis: Opposition urges Compaore to quit". BBC News. 30 October 2014.
- ^ "Gunshots fired as army clear protesters in Burkina Faso capital". Archived from the original on 3 November 2014. Retrieved 3 November 2014.
- ^ Simon Gongo and Pauline Bax (3 November 2014). "Burkina Faso's Army Warns Opposition Amid Power Dispute". Bloomberg. Retrieved 3 November 2014.
- ^ a b c "Burkina Faso army uses gunfire to clear thousands from streets of capital". The Guardian.
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- ^ "Burkina Faso army seizes control of state TV headquarters". The Times of India.
- ^ a b Al Jazeera and agencies. "Protests hit Burkina Faso after army takeover".
- ^ "Burkina Faso : Possible coalition entre le MPP et le PDC de Saran Srm".
- ^ "Burkina Faso : Possible coalition entre le MPP et le PDC de Saran Srm". aOuaga.com (in French).
- ^ "Two feuding army chiefs both claim power after Burkina Faso's president resigns, flees the country". ABC News. 31 October 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
- ^ "Compaore says will step down as Burkina Faso president". DW.DE. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
- ^ a b "Burkina Faso crisis: Blaise Compaore faces new protests". BBC News. 30 October 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
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- ^ Laurent Correau (13 August 2014). "Z. Diabré:"Pas besoin d'homme fort pour avoir des institutions fortes"". RFI (in French). Retrieved 30 October 2014.
- ^ a b "Violent Protests Topple Government in Burkina Faso". The New York Times. 31 October 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
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- ^ "Crise au Burkina - Exclusif. Burkina : Blaise Compaoré s'est réfugié à Yamoussoukro, en Côte d'Ivoire". Jeune Afrique (in French). 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
- ^ a b c AFP. "African leaders tackle Burkina Faso crisis".
- ^ a b c ABC News. "3 Presidents Press Burkina Faso on Civilian Rule". ABC News.
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- ^ "Burkina: l'Union africaine, 'profondément préoccupée', appelle à la 'retenue'". Le Figaro (in French). 30 October 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
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- ^ a b c Al Jazeera and agencies. "ECOWAS presses Burkina Faso on civilian rule".
- ^ "Ecowas' dilemma: Balancing principles and pragmatism - The Nordic Africa Institute NAI Policy Note 2024:1". nai.uu.se. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ^ "La Belgique déconseille d'aller au Burkina Faso". Le Figaro (in French). 30 October 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
- ^ МИД РФ: российские граждане не пострадали в беспорядках в Буркина-Фасо. РИА Новости (in Russian). 31 October 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
- ^ Chia-chen, Hsieh; Hsin-Yin, Lee (31 October 2014). "Ties with Burkina Faso remain unchanged: minister". Focus Taiwan.
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External links
- 12 pictures from 28-31 October of events in Ouagadougou - The Huffington Post