Warden Message

May 1st Commemoration and Protest March

This Warden Message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens in Burkina Faso that the U.S. Embassy will be closed on Thursday, May 1, 2008 and that an authorized march organized by workers’ unions is also scheduled for that day.  The march is to commemorate International Labor Day and protest the high cost of living in Burkina Faso.   

The demonstration is scheduled to begin at approximately 8:00 a.m. at the Workers’ Union Office (Bourse du travail) on Avenue Mgr Thevenoud.  It is expected to pass through downtown Ouagadougou to the Prime Minister's office and return to the Workers' Union Office building. Demonstration organizers told Embassy representatives that they expect approximately 15,000 to 20,000 participants and stated that they anticipate a peaceful event. 

We remind American citizens that demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. The Embassy urges U.S. citizens to exercise caution in the vicinity of any protest, and to avoid crowds, political gatherings, and street demonstrations, even if they appear to be peaceful.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov , where the current Worldwide Caution, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be found.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.  The U.S. Embassy is located on Avenue John F. Kennedy and the mailing address is 01 B.P. 35, Ouagadougou.  The telephone numbers are (226) 5030-6723/24/25, Monday to Thursday (0730-1700), Friday (0730-1230); (226) 5031-2660 or 5031-2707 after hours; fax number (226) 5031-5273; email: ouagaconsular@state.gov.