Commercial Guide

III - Political ENnvironment

Nature of Political Relationship with the United States

Relations between Burkina Faso and the United States are generally good, having steadily improved after the leftist revolutionary period of 1983-87. The government of Burkina Faso has shown progress toward democratic reform and individual liberties.

The U.S. provides humanitarian assistance to Burkina Faso with food and modest levels of regional and bilateral development assistance. In 1995, the USAID in-country mission closed; in 1996 Peace Corps volunteers returned after an eight-year absence. As of July 1999, the Peace Corps is working primarily in the sectors of health, sanitation, and education.

The Major Political Issues Affecting Business Climate

Burkina Faso is undergoing democratization and decentralization under the leadership of President Blaise Compaoré, who has been in power since 1987.

President Compaoré’s political party -- the Congress for Democracy and Progress (CDP) -- dominates all sectors of the government. The party claims populist ideals but calls for free enterprise on the economic front. Many small opposition parties exist, but they lack financial backing and influence.

Burkina’s commercial viability is linked to the stability of its neighbors. The ports of Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) and Lome (Togo) serve as key shipping points for Burkina’s imports and exports. Burkina’s Chamber of Commerce has recently sought to diversify its port access by opening branches in the port cities of Cotonou (Benin) and Tema (Ghana). About 64% to 70% of imported goods are transported by road, 20% by railway, and 10% by air. Although still low by regional standards, businessmen report an increasing level of corruption, especially in the granting of government contracts.

Since the coup d’état that brought President Compaoré to power, the country has embarked on a process of democratization with the adoption of a constitution and the holding of presidential elections in 1991, municipal elections in 1995, legislative elections in 1997, and presidential elections again in November 1998. Despite a boycott by the radical opposition parties in the most recent election, President Compaoré was reelected.

The death of a prominent journalist in December 1998 sparked nationwide demonstrations and led to the formation of an independent investigatory body that implicated members of the Presidential Guard in the assassination. In May 1999, President Compaoré appointed a council of wisemen comprised of former heads of state and religious leaders to develop recommendations for reform of the country's political and judicial institutions.