Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso 2020 election; democratic consolidation
By Joseph Siegle and Candace Cook.
Graphics by Marcus Ezra
Published November 2020
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Burkina Faso’s 2020 election will be dominated by the twin themes of security and democratic consolidation. Burkina Faso has experienced a rapid escalation of violent events involving militant Islamist groups in recent years. In 2019, it experienced 437 violent episodes involving extremist groups, resulting in 1,270 fatalities. This represents a four- and ten-fold increase, respectively, from the previous year. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced.
In Summary
By contrast, in 2014, Burkina Faso did not suffer from any such attacks. Fears that the violence could spread and engulf urban areas is worrying to many Burkinabe. Attempts by extremist groups to stoke intercommunal tensions, moreover, have frayed Burkina Faso’s long-cherished sense of national unity.
The ineffective and at times heavy-handed response of security forces, which had not previously faced a serious security threat, has made leadership in the combating of militant groups an overriding concern for voters.
Map of Burkina Faso
The need for a more robust security response is unfolding at the same time that Burkina Faso is trying to build basic democratic institutions following the 27-year tenure of Blaise Compaoré. The 2020 elections will be the second democratic presidential and legislative elections post-Compaoré.
Reforms under the current administration have involved proposals to reduce the concentration of power in the presidency and the dissolution of the elite Presidential Guard forces that sustained Compaoré’s tenure and subsequently attempted a coup. A constitutional referendum to formalize a two-term presidential limit that was originally planned for March 2019 has since been postponed. The slow pace of change is another point of frustration for the electorate.
Roch Marc Christian Kaboré was elected president in 2015 in a free and fair, if imperfect, election. He is running for a second term and will face a strong field of candidates. The following are the 13 candidates qualified by the electoral commission.
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Presidential Candidate, 2020
Do Pascal Sessouma
Eddie Komboïgo
Farama Ségui Ambroise
Ablassé Ouédraogo
Kadré Desiré Ouédraogo
Yacouba Isaac Zida
Zéphirin Diabré
Gilbert Noël Ouédraogo
Roch Marc Christian Kaboré
Abdoulaye Soma
Monique Yeli Kam
Tahirou Barry
Claude Aimé Tassembedo
Source: CENI, Burkina Faso
Given the still nascent nature of Burkina Faso’s democracy, political parties remain relatively weak organizations with limited national networks. The fluid context, volatile security environment, and evolving political institutions suggest there will likely be multiple twists and turns right up to the November elections, with an outcome that remains uncertain.
Candace Cook is a Research Assistant at Africa Center. She focuses on elections in Africa, good governance and democratic transitions.