Burkina Faso: Protests On Price Rises Spread to the Capital

Violence spread to the capital, Ouagadougou, early on 28 February as demonstrators took to the streets to denounce the high price of food and fuel. Shops and petrol stations were shut down.

The unrest took place throughout the day with young men burning tyres and igniting fires, using hit-and run tactics despite a heavy police presence.


“The choice is to demonstrate or to die of hunger,” a demonstrator, who asked not to be named, told IRIN. “We have chosen to get our voice heard and I think we are succeeding.”

No casualties have yet been reported yet but a police officer told IRIN off the record that they had made 10 arrests.

Soldiers have surrounded the presidential palace and are stepping up their presence around the city.

The unrest the day after the government announced that, rather than lower the price of basic goods as people were demanding, it would reduce taxes on imported goods.

UN Integrated Regional Information Networks