Warden Message

Civil Disturbances (Sept. 1, 2006)

The U.S. Embassy is issuing this Warden Message to alert American citizens to reports of widespread civil disturbances in the capital, Ouagadougou.

Credible reports from a variety of sources have described groups of individuals in confrontations with the police across the city, including Ouaga 2000, Patte d'Oie, Tampouy, and on the Boulevard Circulaire. At some locations individuals are throwing stones at the police, and the police have responded with smoke and/or tear gas. At other locations, youths are stopping all mobylette riders and forcing them to take off their helmets. Gendarmes have reported a bus being attacked. Reports the Embassy has received, as well as the widespread nature of the disturbances, suggest that the disturbances are not organized.

The cause of these disturbances is unclear at this time. The police have today begun enforcing helmet laws, setting up roadblocks and confiscating mobylettes or charging a 3000 fcfa fine. This enforcement decision came with little warning. Electricity charges also increased significantly on September 1, and fuel prices have recently increased as well.

One political leader has proposed a protest march for Sunday.

The Embassy urges U.S. citizens to exercise extreme caution in the vicinity of any protest, and if at all possible to avoid crowds, political gatherings, and street demonstrations, even if they appear to be peaceful. As noted in the consular information sheet for Burkina Faso, although demonstrations are generally peaceful, there have been several incidents of violence and destruction within recent years.

Americans living or traveling in Burkina Faso are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration web site, https://travelregistration.state.gov/, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Burkina Faso. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.

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. Further information on travel to Burkina Faso is also located on the Embassy web site at http://ouagadougou.usembassy.gov.