Seminar on Constitutionalism in Burkina Faso

Download press release (en français)

Seminar on Constitutionalism in Burkina Faso

Democracy in Burkina Faso has advanced significantly since the adoption of its constitution in 1991. But the democratic process remains fragile and there are many challenges ahead.

International IDEA hosted a seminar in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso 29-30 October entitled "The Constitution of Burkina Faso after 10 years: Consolidating Democratic Governance". The event was co-hosted with the Centre for Democratic Governance (CDG) and with the support of the State Secretary for Promotion of Human Rights (SEPDH).

The seminar brought together representatives of the government, political parties, parliament, judiciary, and civil society organizations. Among the participants are Madame Monique Ilboudo, State Secretary for Promotion of Human Rights, Prof Filiga Michel Sawadogo, Vice President of the Board of Directors of CGD and Prof Augustin Loada, Executive Director of CGD, the chairmen of the election commissions in Benin and Mali, as well as experts from the Ivory Coast, Senegal and Niger.

"International IDEA places the greatest hopes in the success of this seminar", says Momar Diop, International IDEA Senior Programme Officer. "This will be an excellent opportunity for exchange and dialogue between all the political actors in Burkina Faso".

This seminar continues International IDEA's work in Burkina Faso and will draw upon the conclusions reached in the 1998 International IDEA assessment report -Democracy in Burkina Faso.

International IDEA is actively supporting the establishment and institutionalization of the CDG, an NGO founded in 2000. With the assistance of International IDEA, the CDG is currently developing capacity-building projects focusing on four strategic areas in Burkina Faso:

• Political Parties and the Political Party System
  
• Political Participation and the Democratic Culture
  
• Constitutionalism and the Rule of Law
  
• Reform of the Electoral System

Click here for more information on the Burkina Faso programme.

For more information, contact:

Ms Zoe Mills
Administrative Assistant
z.mills@idea.int