Burning in Burkina Faso. A rare situation in the country of West Africa known rather quiet. After a day of extreme violence and confusion, the street has not eased the pressure. The inhabitants of "the land of upright people", commonly known as Burkina Faso, would not let steal their constitutional rights. They had won.
Under pressure from the people and the opposition, Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore, in power for 27 years, has finally resigned. In 1983, Blaise Compaore is with Captain Thomas Sankara when it seizes power through a coup. Sankara wants to eliminate the tutelage of France and make his country a self-sufficient country. He renamed what was then called Upper Volta in Burkina Faso. Compaoré disagreed and reversed. Sankara was assassinated. His successor still deny his involvement in the murder.
Under the tutelage and dependency on assistance from the former colonial power, Compaoré bends to French requirements, including that expressed in June 1990 by François Mitterrand in La Baule, before an audience of African heads of state, "he n 'there is no development without democracy and no democracy without development, "said François Mitterrand.
Burkina Faso President then resolved to undertake democratic reforms, new constitution, multiparty free elections. This does not prevent him from getting re-elected three times with scores worthy dictatorships.
Meanwhile, the country is not prosperous. Burkina Faso is one of the 10 least developed countries of the world, one of the poorest as well. 80% of the labor force works in agriculture. More than 40% of Burkinabe live below the poverty line. However, the population never expresses its ras-le-bol or rarely up to these days.
It must be said that Compaoré was hitherto quite popular. A patriarchal figure who despite a history of coup and friendships doubtful managed to impose itself on the international stage. To his advantage as his mediator must to Western eyes in conflicts that have shaken the region, such as Mali and Côte d'Ivoire.
Interview with Georges Dougueli journalist Young Africa
Sophie Desjardin, euronews:
Georges Dougueli, hello, you are a journalist at Young Africa, you closely follow the situation in Burkina Faso.
We saw scenes of anger of the population, or scenes of destruction, but not brutal repression. Is this normal in Africa? What does this tell us about the country?
Georges Dougueli:
"We knew very well that part of the army would not understand that the president committed a maneuver like that started on October 21, leading to the revision of the Constitution. We understand that this army is siding with the protesters and she refused to shoot the people who took to the streets. We can also understand that some of the friends of the president is siding with the protesters. Finally, it is a development that was almost predictable when you look at the last years of the Burkinabe politics. "
Euronews:
Blaise Compaore was in power for 27 years. A power he exercised so often trouble. It's changing the Constitution to allow him to represent that set fire to the powder. Why the Burkinabe have never exhibited before?
Georges Dougueli:
"If they do not come forward until now, it was because they respected the fundamental law, and now, finally yesterday rather, she was about to be changed against the popular will, then they are appeared, they rose as one man to prevent Parliament to commit this change. "
Euronews:
Are there a credible successor Compaoré?
Georges Dougueli:
"There are several, the political opposition is full of people who are able to take over. I think Roch Marc Kabore, who was very close to Compaore, who ended up slamming the door of the CDP, the party in power and created an opposition party.
I also think Salif Diallo and veteran opposition Ablassé Ouedraogo or many others. Simon Compaoré. There are several major personalities in Burkina Faso who are able to take over, to run the country after Blaise Compaoré. "
Euronews:
You do not see in what is happening in Burkina, which could initiate a kind of African spring?
Georges Dougueli:
"What happens in Burkina can actually lead by snowball effect, a kind of African spring. The next country on the list could be the Congo - Brazzaville because there, the process could be underway. The President has not yet decided, it has not yet said if he wanted to remain in power thus causing a constitutional amendment. It is also believed in Benin, where there is such a temptation to amend the Constitution to blast the lock on the constitutional limitation. Both countries then may also, you never know, live a similar scenario. "
SOPHIE: Okay. Dougueli George, thank you for answering our questions.