Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso ( i/brkinfso/ br-KEE-n FAH-soh; French: [bukina faso]) is a landlocked country inWest Africa around 274,200 square kilometres (105,900sq mi) in size. It is surrounded by six countries: Mali tothe north; Niger to the east; Benin to the southeast; Togoand Ghana to the south; and Ivory Coast to the southwest.Its capital is Ouagadougou. As of 2014, its populationwas estimated at just over 17.3 million.[1]

Formerly called the Republic of Upper Volta, the countrywas renamed Burkina Faso on 4 August 1984 by then-President Thomas Sankara. Residents of Burkina Fasoare known asBurkinab (/brkinbe/ br-KEE-n-bay).French is an ocial language of government and business.Before the conquest of what is now Burkina Faso by theFrench and other colonial powers during the late 19thcentury the country was ruled by various ethnic groupsincluding the Mossi kingdoms. After gaining indepen-dence from France in 1960, the country underwent manygovernmental changes. Today it is a semi-presidential re-public. Blaise Compaor was the most recent presidentand ruled the country from 1987[7] until he was oustedfrom power by the popular youth upheaval of 31 October2014.[8]

1 HistoryMain article: History of Burkina Faso

1.1 Early historyThe northwestern part of todays Burkina Faso was popu-lated by hunter-gatherers between 14,000 and 5000 BC.Their tools, including scrapers, chisels and arrowheads,were discovered in 1973 through archeological excava-tions. Agricultural settlements were established between3600 and 2600 BC. The Bura culture was an Iron-Agecivilization centered in the southwest portion of modern-day Niger and in the southeast part of contemporaryBurkina Faso.[9] Iron industry, in smelting and forging fortools and weapons, had developed in Sub-Saharan Africaby 1200 BC.[10][11]

Historians debate the exact dates when Burkina Fasosmany ethnic groups arrived. The Proto-Mossi arrived inthe far eastern part of what is today Burkina Faso some-time between AD 700 and the 11th century,[12] the Samoarrived around the 1400s,[13] the Dogon lived in Burk-

ina Fasos north and northwest regions until sometime inthe 15th or 16th centuries, and many of the other ethnicgroups that make up the countrys population arrived inthe region during this time.

The cavalry of the Mossi Kingdoms were experts at raiding deepinto enemy territory, even against the formidable Mali Empire.

Resistance to the French invasion at Bobo-Dioulasso in 1892.

During the Middle Ages the Mossi established sev-eral separate kingdoms including those of Tenkodogo,Yatenga, Gourma, Zandoma, and Ouagadougou.[14]Sometime between 1328 and 1338Mossi warriors raidedTimbuktu but the Mossi were defeated by Sonni Ali ofSonghai at the Battle of Kobi in Mali in 1483.[15]

During the early 16th century the Songhai conductedmany slave raids into what is today Burkina Faso.[13] Dur-ing the 18th century the Gwiriko Empire was establishedat Bobo Dioulasso and ethnic groups such as the Dyan,Lobi, and Birifor settled along the Black Volta.[16]

1

2 1 HISTORY

1.2 From colony to independence (1890s1958)

Starting in the early 1890s a series of British, French andGerman military ocers made attempts to claim parts ofwhat is today Burkina Faso. At times these colonialistsand their armies fought the local peoples; at times theyforged alliances with them and made treaties. The colo-nialist ocers and their home governments also madetreaties amongst themselves. Through a complex series ofevents what is Burkina Faso eventually became a Frenchprotectorate in 1896.[17]

The eastern and western regions, where a stando againstthe forces of the powerful ruler Samori Ture complicatedthe situation, came under French occupation in 1897.By 1898, the majority of the territory corresponding toBurkina Faso was nominally conquered; however, Frenchcontrol of many parts remained uncertain.The Franco-British Convention of 14 June 1898 createdthe countrys modern borders. In the French territory,a war of conquest against local communities and politi-cal powers continued for about ve years. In 1904, thelargely pacied territories of the Volta basin were inte-grated into the Upper Senegal and Niger colony of FrenchWest Africa as part of the reorganization of the FrenchWest African colonial empire. The colony had its capitalin Bamako.The French imposed their own language as the ocialone for colonial administration and generally appointedFrench colonists or nationals to prominent positions. TheFrench started some schools and selected top students foradditional education in France.Draftees from the territory participated in the Europeanfronts of World War I in the battalions of the SenegaleseRies. Between 1915 and 1916, the districts in the west-ern part of what is now Burkina Faso and the borderingeastern fringe ofMali became the stage of one of themostimportant armed oppositions to colonial government: theVolta-Bani War.[18]

The French government nally suppressed the movementbut only after suering defeats. It also had to organize itslargest expeditionary force of its colonial history to sendinto the country to suppress the insurrection. Armed op-position wracked the Sahelian north when the Tuareg andallied groups of the Dori region ended their truce with thegovernment.French Upper Volta was established on 1 March 1919.The French feared a recurrence of armed uprising andhad related economic considerations. To bolster itsadministration, the colonial government separated thepresent territory of Burkina Faso fromUpper Senegal andNiger.The new colony was named Haute Volta, and FranoisCharles Alexis douardHesling became its rst governor.Hesling initiated an ambitious road-making program to

The capital, Ouagadougou, in 1930

improve infrastructure and promoted the growth of cot-ton for export. The cotton policy based on coercion failed, and revenue generated by the colony stagnated.The colony was dismantled on 5 September 1932, beingsplit between the French colonies of Cte d'Ivoire, FrenchSudan and Niger. Cte d'Ivoire received the largest share,which contained most of the population as well as thecities of Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso.France reversed this change during the period of intenseanti-colonial agitation that followed the end ofWorldWarII. On 4 September 1947, it revived the colony of UpperVolta, with its previous boundaries, as a part of the FrenchUnion. The French designated its colonies as departmentsof the metropole France on the European continent.On 11 December 1958 the colony achieved self-government as the Republic of Upper Volta; it joined theFranco-African Community. A revision in the organiza-tion of French Overseas Territories had begun with thepassage of the Basic Law (Loi Cadre) of 23 July 1956.This act was followed by reorganization measures ap-proved by the French parliament early in 1957 to ensurea large degree of self-government for individual territo-ries. Upper Volta became an autonomous republic in theFrench community on 11 December 1958. Full indepen-dence from France was received in 1960.[19]

1.3 Upper Volta (19581984)Main article: Republic of Upper Volta

The Republic of Upper Volta (French: Rpublique deHaute-Volta) was established on 11 December 1958 asa self-governing colony within the French Community.The name Upper Volta related to the nations locationalong the upper reaches of the Volta River. The riversthree tributaries are called the Black, White and RedVolta. These were expressed in the three colors of theformer national ag.Before attaining autonomy, it had been French UpperVolta and part of the French Union. On 5 August 1960,it attained full independence from France. The rst pres-

1.4 Burkina Faso (1984) 3

Maurice Yamogo (center) was the rst President of BurkinaFaso.

ident, Maurice Yamogo, was the leader of the VoltaicDemocratic Union (UDV). The 1960 constitution pro-vided for election by universal surage of a president anda national assembly for ve-year terms. Soon after com-ing to power, Yamogo banned all political parties otherthan the UDV. The government lasted until 1966. Aftermuch unrest, including mass demonstrations and strikesby students, labor unions, and civil servants, the militaryintervened.The military coup d'tat deposed Yamogo, suspendedthe constitution, dissolved the National Assembly, andplaced Lt. Col. Sangoul Lamizana at the head of a gov-ernment of senior army ocers. The army remained inpower for four years. On 14 June 1970, the Voltans rati-ed a new constitution that established a four-year transi-tion period toward complete civilian rule. Lamizana re-mained in power throughout the 1970s as president ofmilitary or mixed civil-military governments. After con-ict over the 1970 constitution, a new constitution waswritten and approved in 1977. Lamizana was reelectedby open elections in 1978.Lamizanas government faced problems with the coun-trys traditionally powerful trade unions, and on 25November 1980, Col. Saye Zerbo overthrew PresidentLamizana in a bloodless coup. Colonel Zerbo estab-lished the Military Committee of Recovery for NationalProgress as the supreme governmental authority, thuseradicating the 1977 constitution.Colonel Zerbo also encountered resistance from tradeunions and was overthrown two years later, on 7 Novem-ber 1982, by Maj. Dr. Jean-Baptiste Oudraogo and theCouncil of Popular Salvation (CSP). The CSP continuedto ban political parties and organizations, yet promised atransition to civilian rule and a new constitution.

1.3.1 1983 coup d'tat

Factional inghting developed between moderates in theCSP and the radicals, led by Capt. Thomas Sankara, who

was appointed prime minister in January 1983. The in-ternal political struggle and Sankaras leftist rhetoric ledto his arrest and subsequent eorts to bring about his re-lease, directed by Capt. Blaise Compaor. This releaseeort resulted in yet another military coup d'tat on 4August 1983.The coup brought Sankara to power and his govern-ment began to implement a series of revolutionary pro-grams which included mass-vaccinations, infrastructureimprovements, the expansion of womens rights, encour-agement of domestic agricultural consumption, and anti-desertication projects.[20]

1.4 Burkina Faso (1984)

On 4 August 1984,[19] as a result of President Sankarasactivities, the countrys name was changed from UpperVolta to Burkina Faso (land of the upright/honest peo-ple).[21][22][23]

Pioneers of the Revolution, ca. 1985

Sankaras government formed the National Council forthe Revolution (CNR), with Sankara as its president, andestablished popular Committees for the Defense of theRevolution (CDRs) to mobilize the masses and imple-ment the CNRs revolutionary programs. The regime cre-ated a youth program (the Pioneers of the Revolution) foreducating children about Marxist ideals. The governmentalso armed and deputized CDR members who begana campaign to weed out suspected anti-revolutionaries,causing discontent amongst the countrys population andincreasing domestic opposition to Sankaras regime.[24]

Sankaras revolution took place within the context ofthe ColdWar, and his visits to the Soviet Union and Cuba,calls for the cancellation of African debts held byWesterngovernments and institutions andMarxist political regimewere controversial.On 15 October 1987, Sankara along with twelve otherocials were killed in a coup d'tat organized by BlaiseCompaor, Sankaras former colleague and BurkinaFasos president until October 2014. After the coup and

4 2 GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

although Sankara was known to be dead, some CDRsmounted an armed resistance to the army for several days.Deterioration in relations with neighbouring countrieswas one of the reasons given by Compaor for thecoup.[25] Compaor argued that Sankara had jeopardisedforeign relations with the former colonial power Franceand neighbouring Cte d'Ivoire (both of which supportedthe change in government). Following the coup Com-paor immediately reversed the nationalizations, over-turned nearly all of Sankaras policies, returned the coun-try back into the IMF fold, and ultimately spurned mostof Sankaras legacy. Limited democratic reforms wereintroduced in 1990 by Compaor. Under the new con-stitution, Compaor was re-elected without oppositionin 1991. In 1998 Compaor won election in a land-slide. In 2004 13 people were tried for plotting a coupagainst President Compaor and the coups alleged mas-termind was sentenced to life imprisonment.[26] As of2014, Burkina Faso remains one of the least developedcountries in the world.Compaor's government has played the role of negotiatorin several West-African disputes including the 201011Ivorian crisis, the Inter-Togolese Dialogue, and the 2012Malian Crisis.Between February and April 2011, the death of a school-boy provoked protests throughout the country, coupledwith a military mutiny and a magistrates strike.

1.4.1 October 2014 protests

Main article: 2014 Burkinab uprising

Starting on 28 October 2014 protesters began to marchand demonstrate in Ouagadougou against President BlaiseCompaore who appeared ready to amend the constitu-tion and extend his 27-year rule. On 30 October, someprotesters set re to the parliament[27] and took overthe national TV headquarters.[28] Ouagadougou Interna-tional Airport was closed and MPs suspended the vote onchanging the constitution to allow Compaor to stand forre-election in 2015. Later in the day, the military dis-solved all government institutions and set a curfew.[29]

On 31 October 2014, President Compaor, facingmounting pressure, resigned after 27 years in oce.[30]Lt. Col. Isaac Zida said that he will lead the country dur-ing its transitional period before the planned 2015 presi-dential election but there are concerns over his close tiesto the former president.[31] In November 2014 oppositionparties, civil society groups and religious leaders adopteda plan for a transitional authority to guide Burkina Faso toelections.[32] Under the plan Michel Kafando was madethe transitional President of Burkina Faso and Lt. Col.Zida became the acting PrimeMinister and DefenseMin-ister.

2 Government and politics

President Blaise Compaor ruled Burkina Faso from a coupd'tat in 1987 until he lost power in 2014.

The National Assembly building in downtown Ouagadougou.

Main article: Politics of Burkina Faso

With French help, Blaise Compaor seized power in acoup d'tat in 1987. He overthrew his long-time friendand ally Thomas Sankara, who was killed in the coup.[33]

The constitution of 2 June 1991 established a semi-presidential government: its parliament can be dissolvedby the President of the Republic, who is elected for a termof seven years. In 2000, the constitution was amended toreduce the presidential term to ve years and set term lim-its to two, preventing successive re-election. The amend-ment took eect during the 2005 elections. If passed be-forehand, it would have prevented Compaor from beingreelected.Other presidential candidates challenged the election re-

2.3 Law enforcement 5

sults. But in October 2005, the constitutional councilruled that, because Compaor was the sitting presidentin 2000, the amendment would not apply to him until theend of his second term in oce. This cleared the wayfor his candidacy in the 2005 election. On 13 Novem-ber, Compaor was reelected in a landslide, because of adivided political opposition.In the 2010 Presidential elections, President Compaorwas re-elected. Only 1.6 million Burkinabs voted, outof a total population 10 times that size.The 2011 Burkinab protests were a series of popu-lar protests that called for the resignation of Compaor,democratic reforms, higher wages for troops and pub-lic servants and economic freedom.[34][35][36] As a resultGovernors were replaced and wages for public servantswere raised.[37][38]

The parliament consists of one chamber known as theNational Assembly which has 111 seats with memberselected to serve ve-year terms. There is also a constitu-tional chamber, composed of ten members, and an eco-nomic and social council whose roles are purely consul-tative. The 1991 constitution created a bicameral parlia-ment but the upper house (Chamber of Representatives)was abolished in 2002.The Compaor administration has worked to decentralizepower by devolving some of its powers to regions andmu-nicipal authorities. But the widespread distrust of politi-cians and lack of political involvement by many residentscomplicates this process. Critics describe this as a hybriddecentralisation.[39]

Political freedoms are severely restricted in Burkina Faso.Human rights organizations have criticised the Compaoradministration for numerous acts of state-sponsored vio-lence against journalists and other politically active mem-bers of society.

2.1 Foreign relationsFurther information: Foreign relations of Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is a member of the African Union,Community of Sahel-Saharan States, La Francophonie,Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Economic Com-munity of West African States, and United Nations.

2.2 MilitaryMain article: Military of Burkina Faso

The army consists of some 6,000 men in voluntary ser-vice, augmented by a part-time national Peoples Militiacomposed of civilians between 25 and 35 years of agewho are trained in both military and civil duties. Accord-ing to Janes Sentinel Country Risk Assessment, Burkina

Fasos Army is undermanned for its force structure andpoorly equipped, but has wheeled light-armour vehicles,and may have developed useful combat expertise throughinterventions in Liberia and elsewhere in Africa.In terms of training and equipment, the regular Army isbelieved to be neglected in relation to the lite Presiden-tial Security Regiment (RSP). Reports have emerged inrecent years of disputes over pay and conditions.[40] Thereis an air force with some 19 operational aircraft, but nonavy, as the country is landlocked. Military expensesconstitute approximately 1.2% of the nations GDP.In April 2011, there was an army mutiny; the presidentnamed new chiefs of sta, and a curfew was imposed inOuagadougou.[41]

2.3 Law enforcement

Burkina Faso employs numerous police and securityforces, generally modeled after organizations used byFrench police. France continues to provide signi-cant support and training to police forces. The Gen-darmerie Nationale is organized along military lines, withmost police services delivered at the brigade level. TheGendarmerie operates under the authority of the Minis-ter of Defence, and its members are employed chiey inthe rural areas and along borders.[42]

There is a municipal police force controlled by theMinistry of Territorial Administration; a national policeforce controlled by the Ministry of Security; and an au-tonomous Regiment of Presidential Security (Rgimentde la Scurit Prsidentielle, or RSP), a palace guard de-voted to the protection of the President of the Repub-lic. Both the gendarmerie and the national police aresubdivided into both administrative and judicial policefunctions; the former are detailed to protect public orderand provide security, the latter are charged with criminalinvestigations.[42]

All foreigners and citizens are required to carry photo IDpassports, or other forms of identication or risk a ne,and police spot identity checks are commonplace for per-sons traveling by auto, bush-taxi, or bus.[43][44]

3 Geography and climateMain article: Geography of Burkina Faso

3.1 Geography

Burkina Faso lies mostly between latitudes 9 and 15N(a small area is north of 15), and longitudes 6W and3E.It is made up of two major types of countryside. The

6 3 GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE

Satellite image of Burkina Faso.

larger part of the country is covered by a peneplain, whichforms a gently undulating landscape with, in some areas,a few isolated hills, the last vestiges of a Precambrianmassif. The southwest of the country, on the other hand,forms a sandstone massif, where the highest peak, T-nakourou, is found at an elevation of 749 meters (2,457ft). The massif is bordered by sheer clis up to 150 m(492 ft) high. The average altitude of Burkina Faso is400 m (1,312 ft) and the dierence between the highestand lowest terrain is no greater than 600 m (1,969 ft).Burkina Faso is therefore a relatively at country.The country owes its former name ofUpper Volta to threerivers which cross it: the Black Volta (or Mouhoun), theWhite Volta (Nakamb) and the Red Volta (Nazinon).The Black Volta is one of the countrys only two riverswhich ow year-round, the other being the Komo, whichows to the southwest. The basin of the Niger River alsodrains 27% of the countrys surface.The Nigers tributaries the Bli, the Gorouol, theGoudbo and the Dargol are seasonal streams and owfor only four to six months a year. They still can ood andoverow, however. The country also contains numerouslakes the principal ones are Tingrela, Bam and Dem.The country contains large ponds, as well, such as Oursi,Bli, Yomboli and Markoye. Water shortages are often aproblem, especially in the north of the country.

3.2 Administrative divisions

Main articles: Regions of Burkina Faso, Provinces ofBurkina Faso and Departments of Burkina Faso

The country is divided into 13 administrative regions.These regions encompass 45 provinces and 301 depart-ments. Each region is administered by a Governor.

Savannah near the Gbomblora Department, on the road fromGaoua to Bati

3.3 Climate

Further information: Climate of Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso has a primarily tropical climate with twovery distinct seasons. In the rainy season, the countryreceives between 600 and 900 mm (23.6 and 35.4 in)of rainfall; in the dry season, the harmattan a hot drywind from the Sahara blows. The rainy season lasts ap-proximately four months, May/June to September, andis shorter in the north of the country. Three climaticzones can be dened: the Sahel, the Sudan-Sahel, andthe Sudan-Guinea. The Sahel in the north typically re-ceives less than 600 mm (23.6 in)[45] of rainfall per yearand has high temperatures, 547 C (41.0116.6 F).A relatively dry tropical savanna, the Sahel extends be-yond the borders of Burkina Faso, from the Horn ofAfrica to the Atlantic Ocean, and borders the Sahara to itsnorth and the fertile region of the Sudan to the South. Sit-uated between 113' and 135' north latitude, the Sudan-Sahel region is a transitional zone with regards to rainfalland temperature. Further to the south, the Sudan-Guineazone receives more than 900mm (35.4 in)[45] of rain eachyear and has cooler average temperatures.Burkina Fasos natural resources include manganese,limestone, marble, phosphates, pumice, salt and small de-posits of gold.

3.4 Wildlife and the environment

Further information: Wildlife of Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso has a larger number of elephants than manycountries in West Africa. Lions, leopards and bualo canalso be found here, including the dwarf or red bualo,a smaller reddish-brown animal which looks like a ercekind of short-legged cow. Other large predators live inBurkina Faso, such as the cheetah, the caracal or African

7lynx, the spotted hyena and the African wild dog, one ofthe continents most endangered species.[46]

Burkina Fasos fauna and ora are protected in four na-tional parks:

TheWNational Park in the east which passes Burk-ina Faso, Benin, and Niger

The Arly Wildlife Reserve (Arly National Park inthe east)

The Lraba -Como Classied Forest and PartialReserve of Wildlife in the west

The Mare aux Hippopotames in the west

and several reserves: see List of national parks in Africa,Nature reserves of Burkina Faso.

4 EconomyMain article: Economy of Burkina FasoThe value of Burkina Fasos exports fell from $2.77 bil-

Burkina Fasos exports in 2009. Every year gold and cotton con-stitute more than 70% of the countrys exports and the pricesof these commodities have uctuated signicantly in the past 10years.

lion in 2011 to $754 million in 2012.[47] Agriculture rep-resents 32% of its gross domestic product and occupies80% of the working population. It consists mostly ofrearing livestock. Especially in the south and southwest,the people grow crops of sorghum, pearl millet, maize(corn), peanuts, rice and cotton, with surpluses to be sold.A large part of the economic activity of the country isfunded by international aid.Burkina Faso was ranked the 111th safest investmentdestination in the world in the March 2011 EuromoneyCountry Risk rankings.[48] Remittances used to be an im-portant source of income to Burkina Faso until the 1990s,when unrest in Cte d'Ivoire, the main destination for

Burkinabe emigrants, forced many to return home. Re-mittances now account for less than 1% of GDP.Burkina Faso is part of the West African Monetary andEconomic Union (UMEOA) and has adopted the CFAFranc. This is issued by the Central Bank of the WestAfrican States (BCEAO), situated in Dakar, Senegal.The BCEAOmanages the monetary and reserve policy ofthe member states, and provides regulation and oversightof nancial sector and banking activity. A legal frame-work regarding licensing, bank activities, organizationaland capital requirements, inspections and sanctions (allapplicable to all countries of the Union) is in place, havingbeen reformed signicantly in 1999. Micro-nance in-stitutions are governed by a separate law, which regulatesmicro-nance activities in all WAEMU countries. Theinsurance sector is regulated through the Inter-AfricanConference on Insurance Markets (CIMA).[49]

Processing facilities at the Essakane Mine in Burkina Faso.

There is mining of copper, iron, manganese, gold,cassiterite (tin ore), and phosphates.[50] These operationsprovide employment and generate international aid. Goldproduction increased 32% in 2011 at six gold mine sites,making Burkina Faso the fourth-largest gold producer inAfrica, after South Africa, Mali and Ghana.[51]

Burkina Faso also hosts the International Art and CraftFair, Ouagadougou. It is better known by its French nameas SIAO, Le Salon International de l' Artisanat de Oua-gadougou, and is one of themost important African hand-icraft fairs.Burkina Faso is a member of the Organization for theHarmonization of Business Law in Africa (OHADA).[52]

While services remain underdeveloped, the National Of-ce for Water and Sanitation (ONEA), a state-ownedutility company run along commercial lines, is emergingas one of the best-performing utility companies in Africa,.[53] High levels of autonomy and a skilled and dedicatedmanagement has driven ONEAs ability to improve pro-duction of and access to clean water.[53]

Since 2000, nearly 2 million more people have access towater in the four principal urban centres in the country;the company has kept the quality of infrastructure high(less than 18% of the water is lost through leaks one of

8 5 SOCIETY

The Grand march in Koudougou, Burkina Faso.

the lowest in sub-Saharan Africa), improved nancial re-porting, and increased its annual revenue by an average of12% (well above ination).[53] Challenges remain, includ-ing diculties among some customers in paying for ser-vices, with the need to rely on international aid to expandits infrastructure.[53] The state-owned, commercially runventure has helped the nation reach itsMillenniumDevel-opment Goal (MDG) targets in water-related areas, andhas grown as a viable company.[53]

The growth rate in Burkina Faso is high although it con-tinues to be plagued by corruption and incursions fromterrorist groups from Mali and Niger.[54]

4.1 Transport

The railway station in Bobo Dioulasso was built during the colo-nial era and remains in operation.

Main article: Transport in Burkina Faso

Transport in Burkina Faso is hampered by a largely un-derdeveloped infrastructure.The main airport is at Ouagadougou and as of June 2014it had regularly scheduled ights to many destinations inWest Africa as well as Paris, Brussels and Istanbul. Thereis another international airport at Bobo Dioulasso whichhas ights to Ouagadougou and Abidjan.

Rail transport in Burkina Faso consists of a single linewhich runs from Kaya to Abidjan in Cte d'Ivoire viaOuagadougou, Koudougou, Bobo Dioulasso and Banfora.Sitarail operates a passenger train three times a weekalong the route.[55]

There are 12,506 kilometres of highway in Burkina Faso,of which 2,001 kilometres are paved.

5 Society

5.1 Demographics

A Burkinabe Tuareg man in Ouagadougou.

Main article: Demographics of Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is an ethnically integrated, secular state.Most of Burkinas people are concentrated in the southand center of the country, where their density sometimesexceeds 48 per square kilometer (125/sq. mi.). Hun-dreds of thousands of Burkinabe migrate regularly toCte d'Ivoire and Ghana, mainly for seasonal agriculturalwork. These ows of workers are aected by externalevents; the September 2002 coup attempt in Cte d'Ivoireand the ensuing ghtingmeant that hundreds of thousandsof Burkinabe returned to Burkina Faso. The regionaleconomy suered when they were unable to work.[56]

The total fertility rate of Burkina Faso is 5.93 children

5.5 Health 9

born per woman (2014 estimates), the sixth highest in theworld.[57]

In 2009 the U.S. Department of State's Tracking in Per-sons Report reported that slavery in Burkina Faso contin-ued to exist and that Burkinab children were often thevictims.[58] Slavery in the Sahel states in general, is an en-trenched institution with a long history that dates back tothe Arab slave trade.[59]

5.2 Ethnic groups

Main article: Ethnic groups in Burkina Faso

Burkina Fasos 17.3 million people belong to two ma-jor West African ethnic cultural groupsthe Voltaic andthe Mande (whose common language is Dioula). TheVoltaic Mossi make up about one-half of the population.The Mossi claim descent from warriors who migrated topresent-day Burkina Faso from the area of Ghana Em-pire about 1100. They established an empire that lastedmore than 800 years. Predominantly farmers, the Mossikingdom is led by the Mogho Naba, whose court is inOuagadougou.[56]

5.3 Languages

Further information: Languages of Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is a multilingual country. An estimated69 languages are spoken there,[60] of which about 60are indigenous. The Mossi language (Mossi: Mor) isspoken by about 40% of the population, mainly in thecentral region around the capital, Ouagadougou, alongwith other, closely related Gurunsi languages scatteredthroughout Burkina.In the west, Mande languages are widely spoken, the mostpredominant being Dyula (also known as Jula or Dioula),others including Bobo, Samo, and Marka. The Fula lan-guage (Fula: Fulfulde, French: Peuhl) is widespread, par-ticularly in the north. The Gourmanch language is spo-ken in the east, while the Bissa language is spoken in thesouth.The ocial language is French, which was introducedduring the colonial period. French is the principal lan-guage of administrative, political and judicial institutions,public services, and the press. It is the only language forlaws, administration and courts.

5.4 Religion

Main article: Religion in Burkina Faso

Statistics on religion in Burkina Faso are inexact because

The Grand Mosque of Bobo-Dioulasso.

Islam and Christianity are often practiced in tandem withindigenous religious beliefs. The Government of BurkinaFaso 2006 census reported that 60.5% of the populationpractice Islam, and that the majority of this group belongto the Sunni branch,[61][62] while a small minority adheresto Shia Islam. There are also large concentrations of theAhmadiyya Muslims.[63]

A signicant number of Sunni Muslims identify withthe Tijaniyah Su order. The government estimated that23.2% of the population are Christians (19% being Ro-man Catholics and 4.2% members of Protestant denom-inations); 15.3% follow traditional indigenous beliefs,0.6% have other religions, and 0.4% have none (atheismis virtually nonexistent).[61][62]

A popular saying in Burkina Faso claims that 50% areMuslim, 50% are Christian, and 100% are animist".This shows the wide level of acceptance of the reli-gions amongst each other. Muslims and Christians alsovalue ancient animist rites. The Great Mosque of Bobo-Dioulasso was built by people of dierent faiths workingtogether.

5.5 Health

Main article: Health in Burkina Faso

In 2012, the average life expectancy was estimated at 57for male and 59 for female. The under ve mortality rateand the infant mortality rate were respectively 102 and66 per 1000 live births.[64] In 2014, the median age ofits inhabitants is 17 and the estimated population growthrate is 3.05%.[57]

In 2011, health expenditures was 6.5% of GDP; the ma-ternal mortality ratio was estimated at 300 deaths per100000 live births and the physician density at 0.05/1000population in 2010. In 2012, it was estimated that theadult HIV prevalence rate (ages 1549) was 1.0%.[65] Ac-cording to the 2011 UNAIDS Report, HIV prevalence isdeclining among pregnant women who attend antenatalclinics.[66] According to a 2005 World Health Organiza-

10 6 CULTURE

tion report, an estimated 72.5% of Burkina Fasos girlsand women have suered female genital mutilation, ad-ministered according to traditional rituals.[67]

Central government spending on health was 3% in2001.[68] As of 2009, studies estimated there were as fewas 10 physicians per 100,000 people.[69] In addition, therewere 41 nurses and 13 midwives per 100,000 people.[69]Demographic and Health Surveys has completed threesurveys in Burkina Faso since 1993, and had another in2009.[70]

5.6 Education

Main article: Education in Burkina FasoEducation in Burkina Faso is divided into primary, sec-

The Gando primary school. Its architect, Dibdo Francis Kr,received the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2004.

ondary and higher education.[71] High school costs ap-proximately CFA 25,000 ($50 USD) per year, which isfar above the means of most Burkinab families. Boysreceive preference in schooling; as such, girls educationand literacy rates are far lower than their male counter-parts. An increase in girls schooling has been observedbecause of the governments policy of making schoolcheaper for girls and granting them more scholarships.To proceed from elementary to middle school, middleto high school or high school to college, national ex-ams must be passed. Institutions of higher educationinclude the University of Ouagadougou, The Polytech-nic University of Bobo-Dioulasso, and the University ofKoudougou, which is also a teacher training institution.There are some small private colleges in the capital cityof Ouagadougou but these are aordable to only a smallportion of the population.There is also the International School of Ouagadougou(ISO), an American-based private school located in Oua-gadougou.The 2008 UN Development Program Report rankedBurkina Faso as the country with the lowest level of liter-acy in the world, despite a concerted eort to double itsliteracy rate from 12.8% in 1990 to 25.3% in 2008.[72]

6 CultureMain article: Culture of Burkina FasoLiterature in Burkina Faso is based on the oral tradi-

A masked Winiama dancer, ca.1970

tion, which remains important. In 1934, during Frenchoccupation, Dim-Dolobsom Ouedraogo published hisMaximes, penses et devinettes mossi (Maximes, Thoughtsand Riddles of the Mossi), a record of the oral history ofthe Mossi people.[73]

The oral tradition continued to have an inuence on Burk-inab writers in the post-independence Burkina Faso ofthe 1960s, such as Nazi Boni and Roger Nikiema.[74]The 1960s saw a growth in the number of playwrightsbeing published.[73] Since the 1970s, literature has de-veloped in Burkina Faso with many more writers beingpublished.[75]

The theatre of Burkina Faso combines traditional Burk-inab performance with the colonial inuences and post-colonial eorts to educate rural people to produce a dis-tinctive national theatre. Traditional ritual ceremonies ofthe many ethnic groups in Burkina Faso have long in-volved dancing with masks. Western-style theatre be-came common during colonial times, heavily inuencedby French theatre. With independence came a new styleof theatre inspired by forum theatre aimed at educatingand entertaining Burkina Fasos rural people.

6.1 Arts and crafts

Main article: Art of Burkina FasoIn addition to several rich traditional artistic heritagesamong the peoples, there is a large artist community inBurkina Faso, especially in Ouagadougou. Much of thecrafts produced are for the growing tourist industry.

6.4 Sports 11

Artisan garland of decorative painted gourds in Ouagadougou.

6.2 Cuisine

Main article: Burkinab cuisineTypical of West African cuisine, Burkina Fasos cuisine

A plate of fufu (right) accompanied with peanut soup.

is based on staple foods of sorghum, millet, rice, maize,peanuts, potatoes, beans, yams and okra.[76] The mostcommon sources of animal protein are chicken, chickeneggs and fresh water sh. A typical Burkinab bever-age is Banji or Palm Wine, which is fermented palm sap;and Zoom kom, or grain water purportedly the nationaldrink of Burkina Faso. Zoom-kom is milky-looking andwhitish, having a water and cereal base, best drunk withice cubes.[77]

6.3 Cinema

Main article: Cinema of Burkina Faso

The cinema of Burkina Faso is an important part of WestAfrican and African lm industry.[78] Burkinas contri-bution to African cinema started with the establishmentof the lm festival FESPACO (Festival Panafricain duCinma et de la Tlvision de Ouagadougou), which waslaunched as a lm week in 1969. Many of the nations

lmmakers are known internationally and have won in-ternational prizes.For many years the headquarters of the Federation ofPanafrican Filmmakers (FEPACI) was in Ouagadougou,rescued in 1983 from a period of moribund inactiv-ity by the enthusiastic support and funding of PresidentSankara. (In 2006 the Secretariat of FEPACI moved toSouth Africa, but the headquarters of the organizationis still in Ouagaoudougou.) Among the best known di-rectors from Burkina Faso are Gaston Kabor, IdrissaOuedraogo and Dani Kouyate.[79] Burkina produces pop-ular television series such as Bobodjiouf. The interna-tionally known lmmakers such as Ouedraogo, Kabore,Yameogo, and Kouyate make popular television series.

6.4 Sports

Burkina Faso national football team in white playing a footballmatch.

Main article: Sport in Burkina Faso

Sport in Burkina Faso is widespread and includes foot-ball (soccer), basketball, cycling, Rugby union, hand-ball, tennis, athletics, boxing and martial arts. Footballis very popular in Burkina Faso, played both profession-ally, and informally in towns and villages across the coun-try. The national team is nicknamed Les Etalons (theStallions) in reference to the legendary horse of PrincessYennenga.In 1998, Burkina Faso hosted the Africa Cup of Nationsfor which the Omnisport Stadium in Bobo-Dioulasso wasbuilt. In 2013, Burkina Faso qualied for theAfrican Cupof Nations in South Africa, reached the nal, but then lostto Nigeria by the score of 0 to 1. The country is currentlyranked 71st in the FIFA World Rankings.[80]

6.5 MediaMain articles: Media of Burkina Faso andCommunications in Burkina Faso

12 8 REFERENCES

A member of the Burkinab media at work in Ouagadougou.

The nations principal media outlet is its state-sponsoredcombined television and radio service, Radiodiusion-Tlvision Burkina (RTB).[81] RTB broadcasts on twomedium-wave (AM) and several FM frequencies. Be-sides RTB, there are privately owned sports, cultural, mu-sic, and religious FM radio stations. RTB maintains aworldwide short-wave news broadcast (Radio NationaleBurkina) in the French language from the capital at Oua-gadougou using a 100 kW transmitter on 4.815 and 5.030MHz.[82]

Attempts to develop an independent press and media inBurkina Faso have been intermittent. In 1998, inves-tigative journalist Norbert Zongo, his brother Ernest, hisdriver, and another man were assassinated by unknownassailants, and the bodies burned. The crime was neversolved.[83] However, an independent Commission of In-quiry later concluded that Norbert Zongo was killed forpolitical reasons because of his investigative work intothe death of David Ouedraogo, a chaueur who workedfor Franois Compaor, President Blaise Compaor'sbrother.[84][85]

In January 1999, Franois Compaor was charged withthe murder of David Ouedraogo, who had died as a re-sult of torture in January 1998. The charges were laterdropped by a military tribunal after an appeal. In Au-gust 2000, ve members of the Presidents personal secu-rity guard detail (Rgiment de la Scurit Prsidentielle, orRSP) were charged with the murder of Ouedraogo. RSPmembers Marcel Kafando, Edmond Koama, and Ous-seini Yaro, investigated as suspects in the Norbert Zongoassassination, were convicted in the Ouedraogo case andsentenced to lengthy prison terms.[84][85]

Since the death of Norbert Zongo, several protests re-garding the Zongo investigation and treatment of jour-nalists have been prevented or dispersed by governmentpolice and security forces. In April 2007, popular radioreggae host Karim Sama, whose programs feature reg-gae songs interspersed with critical commentary on al-leged government injustice and corruption, received sev-

eral death threats.[86]

Samas personal car was later burned outside the privateradio station Ouaga FM by unknown vandals.[87] In re-sponse, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) wroteto President Compaor to request his government inves-tigate the sending of e-mailed death threats to journal-ists and radio commentators in Burkina Faso who werecritical of the government.[83] In December 2008, policein Ouagadougou questioned leaders of a protest marchthat called for a renewed investigation into the unsolvedZongo assassination. Among the marchers was Jean-Claude Meda, the president of the Association of Jour-nalists of Burkina Faso.[88]

6.6 Cultural Festivals and Events

Every two years, Ouagadougou hosts the Panafrican Filmand Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO), thelargest African cinema festival on the continent(February,odd years).Held every two years since 1988, the International Artand Craft Fair, Ouagadougou (SIAO), is one of Africasmost important trade shows for art and handicrafts (lateOctober-early November, even years).Also every two years, the Symposium de sculpture surgranit de Laongo takes place on a site located about 35km from Ouagadougou, in the province of Oubritenga.The National Culture Week of Burkina Faso, betterknown by its French name La Semaine Nationale de laculture (SNC), is one of the most important cultural ac-tivities of Burkina Faso. It is a biennial event which takesplace every two years in Bobo Dioulasso, the second-largest city in the country.

7 See also Holidays in Burkina Faso Index of Burkina Faso-related articles List of cities in Burkina Faso Music of Burkina Faso Outline of Burkina Faso Tourism in Burkina Faso Transport in Burkina Faso

8 References[1] Burkina Faso population projection. insd.bf (in

French). 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2014.

13

[2] Burkina Faso. International Monetary Fund. Retrieved1 October 2014.

[3] Burkina Faso. International Monetary Fund. Retrieved1 October 2014.

[4] Distribution of family income Gini index. The WorldFactbook. CIA. Retrieved 1 September 2009.

[5] 2014 Human Development Report Summary (PDF).United Nations Development Programme. 2014. pp. 2125. Retrieved 27 July 2014.

[6] CFA Franc BCEAO. Codes: XOF / 952 ISO 4217 cur-rency names and code elements. ISO.

[7] Tens of thousands attend Burkina Faso protest, Protestersvoice opposition to referendum that would allow BlaiseCampaore to extend his presidential term, Reuters, Lastupdated: 1 June 2014 01:34.

[8] Violent Protests Topple Government in Burkina Faso,BBC.

[9] UNESCOWorld Heritage Centre. Site archologique deBura. unesco.org.

[10] Miller, D. E.; Van Der Merwe, N. J. (2009). EarlyMetal Working in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review of Re-cent Research. The Journal of African History 35: 136.doi:10.1017/S0021853700025949. JSTOR 182719.

[11] Stuiver, Minze; van der Merwe, Nicolaas J. (1968). Ra-diocarbon Chronology of the Iron Age in Sub-SaharanAfrica. Current Anthropology 9 (1): 5458. JSTOR2740446.

[12] Rupley, p. 27

[13] Rupley, p. 28

[14] Encyclopedia of the Nations. History. Advameg, Inc.,n.d. Web. 8 October 2014.

[15] Rupley, p. xxvioi

[16] Rupley, p. xxvix

[17] Rupley, pp. 3033

[18] Mahir Saul and Patrick Royer, West African Challenge toEmpire, 2001

[19] More (Language of the Mossi Tribe) Phrase Book.World Digital Library. Retrieved 16 February 2013.

[20] Sankara, Thomas The Upright Man, (video), youtube,

[21] KingsherGeography Encyclopedia. ISBN1-85613-582-9. Page 170

[22] Manning, Patrick (1988). Francophone Sub-SaharanAfrica: 1880-198. Cambridge: New York.

[23] The name is an amalgam of More burkina (honest, up-right, or incorruptible men) and Jula faso (homeland";literally fathers house). The "-be sux in the name forthe people Burkinabe comes from the Fula plural suf-x for people, -e.

[24] The Upright Man Thomas Sankara Documentary, 2015-04-17, retrieved 2015-05-21

[25] Kasuka, Bridgette (2011). African Leaders. 3rd Para-graph: Bankole Kamara Taylor. p. 13. ISBN 978-1468114362. Retrieved 30 October 2014.

[26] Burkina Faso Prole. Burkina Faso Prole. BBCNEWS AFRICA, 21 March 2014. Web. 24 September2014.

[27] BBC News Burkina Faso parliament set ablaze. BBCNews. Retrieved 30 October 2014.

[28] Burkina Faso protesters set parliament on re, take overstate TV and march on presidency. The Sydney MorningHerald. Retrieved 30 October 2014.

[29] Gongo, Simon and Bax, Pauline. Burkina Faso Gen-eral Takes Power After President Resigns. Business-week.com.

[30] Herve, Taoko and Cowelloct, Alan (31 October 2014)Burkina Fasos President Resigns, and General TakesReins. New York Times.

[31] BBC News Army backs new Burkina Faso leader IsaacZida. BBC News.

[32] Burkina Faso talks agree on plan for return to civilianrule. Reuters. Retrieved 9 November 2014.

[33] Burkina Fasos Blaise Compaore sacks his government,BBC News, 15 April 2011

[34] Burkina opposition calls anti-president demo. TheDailyStar. 23 April 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2011.

[35] Taoko, Herv; Nossiter, Adam (27 April 2011). MayorsHome Burned as Burkina Faso Protests Continue. TheNew York Times. Archived from the original on 29 April2011. Retrieved 30 April 2011.

[36] Gongo, Simon (28 April 2011). Burkina Faso Riot Po-lice Join Wave of Protests After Government Dissolved.Bloomberg L.P. Retrieved 30 April 2011.

[37] Burkina Faso teachers strike: Union agrees deal. BBCNews. 25 May 2011. Archived from the original on 27May 2011. Retrieved 28 May 2011.

[38] Burkina Faso government replaces its governors. Tai-wan News. 9 June 2011. Retrieved 11 June 2011.

[39] Tiendrebeongo, Aristide (March 2013). Failure Likely.dandc.eu.

[40] Janes Sentinel Security Assessment West Africa, 15 April2009

[41] Burkina Faso capital under curfew after army mutiny.BBC News. 16 April 2011. Retrieved 17 April 2011.

[42] Das, Dilip K. and Palmiotto, Michael J. (2005)World Po-lice Encyclopedia, Routledge, ISBN 0-415-94250-0. pp.139141

[43] U.S. Dept. of State, Burkina Faso: Country Specic In-formation

14 8 REFERENCES

[44] Foreign and Commonwealth Oce, Sub-Saharan Africa:Burkina Faso at the Wayback Machine (archived 27 Au-gust 2009). fco.gov.uk

[45] SIM Country Prole: Burkina Faso. Archived from theoriginal on 9 March 2008. Retrieved 5 August 2006.

[46] Geography & Wildlife. our-africa.org

[47] OEC: Products exported by Bulgaria (2012)". The Ob-servatory of Economic Complexity. Retrieved 30 October2014.

[48] Euromoney Country Risk. Euromoney Country Risk.Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC. Retrieved 15 Au-gust 2011.

[49] Burkina Faso Financial Sector Prole at theWaybackMa-chine (archived 16 December 2013), MFW4A

[50] Prole Burkina Faso. Inadev.org. Retrieved on 5 April2014.

[51] York, Jeorey (15 April 2012). Iamgolds growinginvestment in Burkina Faso. The Globe and Mail(Toronto).

[52] OHADA.com: The business law portal in Africa. Re-trieved 22 March 2009.

[53] Peter Newborne 2011. Pipes and People: Progress in Wa-ter Supply in Burkina Fasos Cities, London: Overseas De-velopment Institute

[54] Burkina Faso. Retrieved 17 October 2014.

[55] European Rail Timetable, Summer 2014 Edition

[56] Burkina Faso, U.S. Department of State, June 2008.This article incorporates text from this source, which is inthe public domain.

[57] Burkina Faso. CIA World Factbook

[58] June 2009 the U.S. Department of State Trackingin Persons Report, http://gvnet.com/humantrafficking/BurkinaFaso-2.htm

[59] West Africa slavery still widespread". BBC News. 27October 2008.

[60] Lewis, M. Paul (ed.), 2009. Ethnologue: Languages ofthe World, Sixteenth edition. Dallas, Tex.: SIL Interna-tional. (Page on Languages of Burkina Faso.)

[61] Comit national du recensement (July 2008).Recensement gnral de la population et de l'habitationde 2006. Conseil national de la statistique. Archivedfrom the original (PDF) on 2011-04-21. Retrieved 20January 2011.

[62] International Religious Freedom Report 2010: BurkinaFaso. United States Bureau of Democracy, Human Rightsand Labor (17 November 2010). This article incorporatestext from this source, which is in the public domain.

[63] Breach of Faith. Human Rights Watch. June 2005. p. 8.Retrieved 4 June 2014. Estimates of around 20 millionwould be appropriate

[64] Statistics in Burkina Faso. World Health Organization.

[65] UN AIDS: HIV/AIDS adult prevalence rate. Retrievedon 25 July 2014.

[66] UNAIDS World AIDS Day Report 2011 (PDF), UNAIDS,retrieved 29 March 2012

[67] Female genital mutilation and other harmful practices,WHI.int

[68] Globalis an interactive world map Burkina Faso Central government expenditures on health. Glob-alis.gvu.unu.edu. Archived from the original on 16 May2011. Retrieved 1 October 2009.

[69] WHO Country Oces in the WHO African Region WHO | Regional Oce for Africa. Afro.who.int. Re-trieved 20 June 2010.

[70] Burkina Faso DHS Surveys, measuredhs.com

[71] Education Burkina Faso. Nationsencyclopedia.com.Retrieved 1 October 2009.

[72] UNDP Human Development Report 2007/2008 at theWayback Machine (archived 29 April 2011). PalgraveMacmillan. 2007. ISBN 978-0-230-54704-9

[73] Salhi, Kamal (1999). Francophone Voices. IntellectBooks. p. 37. ISBN 1-902454-03-0. Retrieved 26 April2014.

[74] Allan, Tuzyline Jita (1997). Womens Studies Quar-terly: Teaching African Literatures in a Global Literary.Feminist Press. p. 86. ISBN 1-55861-169-X. Retrieved26 April 2014.

[75] Marchais, Julien (2006). Burkina Faso (in French). PetitFut. pp. 9192. ISBN 2-7469-1601-0. Retrieved 26April 2014.

[76] Oxfams Cool Planet Food in Burkina Faso. Oxfam.Archived from the original on 17May 2012. Retrieved 21May 2008.

[77] article in French on Burkinabe Zoom-kom

[78] Spaas, Lieve (2000) Burkina Faso, in The FrancophoneFilm: A Struggle for Identity, pp. 232246. Manchester:Manchester University Press, ISBN 0719058619.

[79] Turgano, Teresa Hoefert (2005)African Cinema and Eu-rope: Close-Up on Burkina Faso, Florence: EuropeanPress Academic, ISBN 888398031X.

[80] The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking. FIFA.com. Re-trieved 10 July 2013.

[81] Radiodiusion-Tlvision Burkina. Rtb.bf. Retrieved1 October 2009.

[82] Radio StationWorld, Burkina Faso: Governmental Broad-casting Agencies

[83] Committee to Protect Journalists, Burkina Faso

[84] Reporters Sans Frontieres, Whats Happening About TheInquiry Into Norbert Zongos Death?

15

[85] Reporters Sans Frontieres, Outrageous Denial Of Justice21 July 2006

[86] IFEX, Radio Station Temporarily Pulls Programme AfterHost Receives Death Threats, 26 April 2007

[87] FreeMuse.org, Death threat against Reggae Radio Host, 3May 2007

[88] Keita, Mohamed, Burkina Faso Police Question ZongoProtesters, Committee to Protect Journalists, 15 Decem-ber 2008

9 Bibliography Rupley, Lawrence; Bangali, Lamissa and Diamitani,Boureima (2013). Historical Dictionary of BurkinaFaso. The Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-6770-3.

10 Further reading Engberg-Perderson, Lars, Endangering Develop-ment: Politics, Projects, and Environment in BurkinaFaso (Praeger Publishers, 2003).

Englebert, Pierre, Burkina Faso: Unsteady State-hood in West Africa (Perseus, 1999).

Howorth, Chris, Rebuilding the Local Landscape:Environmental Management in Burkina Faso (Ash-gate, 1999).

McFarland, Daniel Miles and Rupley, Lawrence A,Historical Dictionary of Burkina Faso (ScarecrowPress, 1998).

Manson, Katrina and Knight, James, Burkina Faso(Bradt Travel Guides, 2011).

Roy, Christopher D and Wheelock, Thomas G B,Land of the Flying Masks: Art and Culture in Burk-ina Faso: The Thomas G.B. Wheelock Collection(Prestel Publishing, 2007).

Sankara, Thomas, Thomas Sankara Speaks: TheBurkina Faso Revolution 19831987 (PathnderPress, 2007).

Sankara, Thomas, We are the Heirs of the WorldsRevolutions: Speeches from the Burkina Faso Revo-lution 19831987 (Pathnder Press, 2007).

11 External links Premier Ministre, ocial government portal.(French)

Burkina Faso entry at The World Factbook

LeFaso.net, a news information site. Burkina Faso from UCB Libraries GovPubs. Burkina Faso at DMOZ Burkina Faso prole from the BBC News. Wikimedia Atlas of Burkina Faso News headline links from AllAfrica.com. Overseas Development Institute Country prole at New Internationalist. Key Development Forecasts for Burkina Faso fromInternational Futures.

Trade

World Bank 2011 Trade Summary for BurkianaFaso

16 12 TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES

12 Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses12.1 Text

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12.2 Images 17

Vokesk, Northamerica1000, Generaal klei, PhnomPencil, HIDECCHI001, Brad097, MusikAnimal, AvocatoBot, Philpm930, Mark Ar-sten, Scientistmohamed, CarterL2011, OttawaAC, RayeRaye121, Sherri J1990, Socialistguy, Shredder2012, Liam987, Trini1988, Dk203,ChrisGualtieri, Mediran, Khazar2, Emperortikacuti, JYBot, APerson, Treemapper, FlatTire1, Webclient101, Charles Essie, Jackninja5,Humberto del Torrejn, Cerabot~enwiki, Alexgrim, Lugia2453, Eleventhblock, Graphium, AbstractIllusions, Wedlass, 123lewis, Las-sane, Passengerpigeon, Mfw4a, Epicgenius, CsDix, TrollishTackyBling, EvergreenFir, Emefaush, D Eaketts, Werddemer, Blondeguyna-tive, ThecentreCZ, Mevagiss, Baller7878, Sleven436, Blolay, Mothernature1, Make savings at our nearest store, Monkbot, Septate, Whyshould I have a User Name?, Monopoly31121993, Communpedia Tribal, ArteDeGuerra, Bezanger, Jeremy Bezanger, LW86, Signedzzz, , Stamboliyski, Anselm Simeon, PunSoc, FriarTuck1981, Katougandan, Balsus100, ISO mulet boy, Hulda C, Merylon, ISO Jacoboss, TheBadSeeds2012, Vmp4523, Kingsclassroom, Stdevin, Omo Obatal, Dtjonb, Hvaara, Clmoatt, Poop1234567891,Poop12343, Joshuagro, Shiga01, Yajeepms, Joseph2302, Cryinglama, Buttlicker77, Conbe101, Jekim2, HereToTrolololol, Iz1909, Ben-tritton and Anonymous: 723

12.2 Images File:Africa_(orthographic_projection).svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/Africa_%28orthographic_

projection%29.svg License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: Martin23230 File:Africa_satellite_orthographic.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/21/Africa_satellite_orthographic.jpg Li-

cense: PD Contributors: ? Original artist: ? File:African_Union_(orthographic_projection).svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8d/African_Union_

%28orthographic_projection%29.svg License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 Contributors: This vector image was created with Inkscape. Original artist:Heraldry

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File:Maurice_Yamogo_-_Golda_Meir_1961.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a3/Maurice_Yam%C3%A9ogo_-_Golda_Meir_1961.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: Israel National Photo Collection Original artist: Paul Gold-man

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