COUNTRY PROFILE

The name Burkina Faso means "Land of Incorruptible Men." Situated in the heart of West Africa, the landlocked Burkina Faso has suffered from recurring droughts, matched in number only by the military coups it has endured, especially during the 1980s. Lacking in resources, water and fertile soil, Burkina Faso has also been hit by falling gold prices, forcing it to close down its biggest gold mine. Its land is dominated in the north by the semi-arid Sahel (Arabic for "shore of desert"), where herding animals is the traditional livelihood. The central grassland with its red termite mounds is the most heavily populated region of the country. The humid south, crisscrossed by the three Volta rivers (Red, Black and White), is almost uninhabited despite fertile soils, because of the constant presence of disease, especially river blindness and deadly sleeping sickness. The Burkinabe, as the people of Burkina Faso call themselves, cling tenaciously to a difficult existence in a very inhospitable environment. Nearly 75 percent of the Burkinabe are animistic, although 5 percent claim to be Roman Catholic. Syncretism, resulting from failure to break with old ways, plaques the church. While Islam was not able to dominate Burkina Faso in the Middle Ages, its influence has increased dramatically since 1900. Strong political ties with Libya have strengthened the Islamic influence in the north. 

OVERVIEW

The origins of the Burkinabe are lost in time, but Arab historians say that the ancestry of the West African peoples is linked to Kush, the grandson of Noah, who migrated with many people from the Nile toward the setting sun. The earliest known inhabitants of the region were the Bobo, Lobi and Gurunsi, all tribes practicing forms of animism in which spirits and ancestors are worshipped. Political instability has been the norm with six coups since its independence in 1960. The 1983 coup brought in a left wing revolutionary regime, which had the enthusiastic support of urban young people. During that time, Thomas Sankara adopted a policy of nonalignment, developed relations with Libya and Ghana, and gave the country its present name, but by 1987, the revolution had failed to bring about change and Sankara was assassinated by his closest associate, Captain Blaise Campaore. Since then, Burkina Faso has been under a multiparty system. Recently, Burkina Faso has faced domestic and external concern over the state of its economy and human rights, and allegations that rebels in Sierra Leone have involved in the smuggling of diamonds. 

FACTS

Population: 12 m 
Capital: Ouagadougou 
Major languages: French, indigenous languages 
Major religions: Indigenous beliefs, Islam, Christianity 
Form of government: Multiparty republic 
Monetary unit: 1 CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) franc = 100 centimes 
Main exports: Cotton, animal products, gold 
Internet domain: .bf
Time zone: GMT 
International dialing code: +226 

LEADERS

 
President: 
Blaise Campaore 

Born in 1950 and trained as a soldier in Cameroon and Morocco, Blaise Campaore served under Thomas Sankara as minister of state to the presidency, before deposing and executing him in 1987. He disarmed local militias and, despite his reputed left-wing leanings, embarked on a program of privatization and austerity measures sponsored by the International Monetary Fund. After officially eschewing socialism, he was elected president unopposed in 1991, and re-elected by a landslide in 1998. Prime Minister: Ernest Paramanga Yonli; Foreign Minister: Youssouf Ouedraogo; Defense Minister: Kouame Louge; Economy and Finance Minister: Ernest Paramanga Yonli. 

MEDIA

The Ministry of Communication and Culture supervises the administration of all media. The Superior Council of Information also regulates broadcasters. There are about a dozen private radio stations, one private television channel and numerous independent publications. Libel and defamation laws have been invoked occasionally. However, normally the media, which is often critical of the government, operates with little interference. 

The Press
Sidwaya - daily newspaper

Television
Television Nationale du Burkina

Radio
Radiodiffusion Nationale du Burkina Faso - state-run
Pulsar Radio - commercial

News Agency
Agence d'Information du Burkina - official news agency 

OBSTACLES TO MINISTRY

• Prevalence of Occult Practices

• Political Confusion - Government seems to lack direction

• Growing Muslim Population - As their numbers increase Muslims are becoming active

• Economic Fragmentation

SPIRITUAL POWER POINTS

• Crocodile Lake (Ouagadougou) - Sacred site where homage is paid to the crocodile

• Ouagadougou Mosque - Primary mosque in capital city

• Sacred Fish Pond (Dafra) - At this site, fish are worshipped

• Gaoua Town - Spiritual center of the traditionalist Lobi people

FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES

• Fete des Masques - Festival with dancing and children being violently whipped

• Dodo Masqurade (March) - Mosi male-only tribal celebration

• Tabaski/Eid al-Kabir - Islamic sacrificial feast; most important in West Africa

• Dyoro Initiation (every seven years) - Lobi animist initiation rites teaching taboos, etc. to boys