More than six in 10 Burkina Faso citizens reject military rule as a system of government, according to the most recent Afrobarometer survey.
In the 2012 survey, 62% of respondents disapproved – including 27% who “strongly” disapproved – of a system of government in which the army governs the country, compared to just 24% who approve. This finding reflects a 12 percentage point increase from the 2008 Afrobarometer survey, when 50% rejected military rule.
Across 34 African countries surveyed during Afrobarometer’s Round 5 (2011-13), an average of 73% rejected military rule (Figure 3). Burkina Faso’s army took power on 31 October after President Blaise Compaore was forced to resign amidst widespread public protests. Demonstrations have continued since then, now demanding civilian rule. The African Union has given the military two weeks to transfer power to a civilian government before sanctions will be imposed.
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