Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Ouagadougou (Agenzia Fides) - Under the motto "dialogue, tolerance and justice, " the women of Burkina Faso have marched through the streets of the capital Ouagadougou to request the opening of a national dialogue to put an end to violent protests that since February have disrupted the country. "Our country is shaken by an unprecedented crisis and incalculable consequences. For these reasons we, women and girls of this Country, have held a peaceful march to promote justice, the spirit of tolerance and forgiveness. We make an appeal so all measures are taken to end abuses that endanger the future of the Country, " said the message delivered to the Head of State, Blaise Compaoré.
In recent months, several groups of police and military units rebelled, going down the streets of the capital and other cities across the country, shooting in the air and looting shops (see Fides 15 and 16 April 2011). In turn, shopkeepers have staged demonstrations to denounce the abuses of members of the police and the military (see Fides 18 April 2011).
At the base of the protests, there are wage war reasons. Even operators of the national telephone company (the Office National des télécommunications, Onatel) had announced earlier this week a strike, blocking the telephone and Internet connections, to ask for a pay rise. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 05/18/2011)
