Political tensions increased following 7 April vote on electoral law banning “supporters” of Oct 2014 constitutional amendment from contesting Oct 2015 presidential, legislative elections; parties affiliated with former ruling Congress for Democracy and Progress (CDP) withdrew from National Transitional Council and Commission for National Reconciliation and Reform in protest. Thousands demonstrated in Ouagadougou 25 April in favour of new electoral law. Former regime members arrested 6-7 April, some remain detained and may face prosecution. Military judge, appointed late-March to investigate former President Sankara’s assassination, sealed Sankara’s grave as prelude to exhumation. Country experienced first attack from neighbouring Mali when five unidentified Tuareg gunmen 4 April attacked Tambao mine in north, one gendarme wounded.

Transition continued: countrywide update to voter roll launched 3 March; anti-corruption law passed 4 March. Commission for National Reconciliation and Reform held first session 10 March, named Archbishop Paul Ouédraogo its president. Govt 16 March adopted emergency socio-economic program targeted at women, youth. Military court 24 March reopened case on former President Sankara’s assassination. At National Conference on judiciary 24-28 March, President, PM, traditional and religious authorities and civil society leaders signed pact to reform, strengthen judiciary.

Transition saw most serious crisis yet when presidential guard (RSP) 4 Feb demanded resignation of PM Zida, called for their unit not to be dissolved, and for senior military appointments to be reconsidered, specifically the replacement of Théophile Nikiéma, a Zida associate, as president’s personal chief of staff. Compromise reached 7 Feb: RSP accepted Zida remain in office; Zida accepted appointment of former Compaoré associates colonel-major Boureima Kéré as president’s personal chief of staff and lieutenant-colonel Joseph Moussa Céleste Coulibaly as RSP commander. Thousands demonstrated 7 Feb, called for dismantlement of RSP. Members of former ruling Congress for Democracy and Progress (CDP) 1 Feb created new political party, New Alliance of Faso (NAFA), supporting presidential candidacy of former FM Djibirl Bassolé. Colonel Yacouba Ouédraogo 14 Feb announced candidacy with new Union for a New Burkina (UBN) party.

President Kafando 22 Jan announced presidential and legislative elections will take place 11 Oct following early-Jan discussion over election dates, composition of electoral commission; also announced diaspora not eligible to vote. UN mission 12-23 Jan assessed electoral needs, cost estimated at 50bn FCFA. New party Patriotic Governance for Revival-Patriotic Movement (COR/MP) 17 Jan named Jean-Baptiste Natama as candidate. Former ruling party Congress for Democracy and Progress (CDP) resumed operations following President Kafando’s 31 Dec lifting of its suspension.

Situation stabilised with establishment of transitional institutions: President Kafando 4 Dec announced creation of National Reconciliation and Reform Commission led by PM Zida; 11 Dec set out transition priorities: twelve-month delay for presidential election; renewed investigation into Thomas Sankara’s 1987 assassination under Compoaré; and continued conflict resolution assistance to Mali. Zida 13 Dec announced nationalisation of several companies including SOCOGIB, considered symbol of alleged Compaoré cronyism and nepotism. Govt 15 Dec suspended former ruling party Congress for Democracy and Progress (CDP), Alliance for Democracy and Federation-African Democratic Rally (ADF-RDA), and pro-Compaoré civil society organisation Federation for Peace and Progress with Blaise Compaoré (FEDAP-BC); 17 Dec dismissed twelve of thirteen regional governors. World Bank pledged $70mn to support democratic transition.

Transition govt announced 23 Nov following former President Compaoré’s late-Oct ouster and army’s 1 Nov seizure of power under Presidential Guard Second-in-Command Lieutenant Colonel Yacouba Isaac Zida. Army holds several posts, including defence, home affairs and mining. International pressure for return to civilian rule followed: AU 3 Nov declared two-week deadline for transfer of power, threatened sanctions. Negotiations for transition charter between army, political opposition, civil society, customary and religious chiefs ended 13 Nov; constitution restored 15 Nov; transition charter signed and civilian Michel Kafando appointed transitional president 16 Nov. Kafando 19 Nov appointed Zida as PM, ensuring army will retain influence during transition. Head of Presidential Guard under Compaoré General Gilbert Diendéré removed from post by Kafando 27 Nov. PM Zida 27 Nov said investigation planned for murders committed under Compaoré, namely former head of state Thomas Sankara; same day called for extradition of Compaoré, currently in Morocco, to Burkina Faso.

President Compaoré 31 Oct resigned following intense pressure, violent protests over possible prolonging of his 27-year rule through constitutional amendment and intervention of military. Ruling Congress for Democracy and Progress (CDP) party 21 Oct announced constitutional amendment bill to prolong presidential term limits after dialogue between govt, opposition failed. Parliament building, city hall, and ruling party HQ set ablaze by protesters 30 Oct; 30 killed during protests, govt withdrew bill same day. Army announced creation of interim govt, dissolution of parliament but appears divided over who will rule; army chief General Honoré Traoré, and Presidential Guard’s second-in-command Colonel Isaac Zida both claimed to be head of state.

81 ruling Congress for Democracy and Progress (CDP) MPs 13 Sept called for President Compaoré to organise referendum to remove constitutional 2-term limit; opposition Union for Progress and Change (UPC), Movement of People for Progress (MPP) opposed; parties met 25 Sept; 29 Sept agreed to inclusive dialogue under Compaoré’s leadership. Several MPP members allegedly resigned early Sept.

Burkina Faso Amid continued tensions over possible referendum to amend constitution and remove 2-term rule, President Compaoré 7 Aug said “no strong institutions without strong men”; opposition parties 23 Aug marched in Ouagadougou against referendum. Federation of African Journalists 17 Aug warned of threat to press freedom. Amid regional Ebola outbreak, govt early-Aug reinforced epidemic surveillance, border control; mid-Aug postponed AU summit.

Amid continued tensions over possible referendum to amend constitution and remove 2-term limit, President Compaoré 13 July said undecided about running in 2015 elections. U.S. 9 July stressed need to respect democratic process; 17 July pledged $1mn to support free, fair and transparent elections.