In a few minutes (7h30 Burkina time/ 12:30AM MST) student groups will march in Ouagadougou.
Nation-wide protests were started by the February 20th death of Justin Zongo. The ensuing deaths of four students and a police officer gave protestors more reason to stay in the streets and out of schools. Schools have now been indefinitely closed.
I recently came across a protestor's declaration of intent and demands. These published by the 'Jeunes de la Region Centre-Ouest' or the 'Youth of the Central-West Region'.The documents presented by the Youth suggest removing all of the government is necessary for Burkina to move forward. They demand an interim government be put in place and elections to be held in 2012.
Know these declarations (or the information outlined above) do not encompass my personal opinions. Read the declaration in english here and in french here.
From the above one can conclude the protests that started in the name of 'Justice for Justin' have reached a more political goal.
From the above one can conclude the protests that started in the name of 'Justice for Justin' have reached a more political goal.
I have also read an interview with Zongo’s father. He asks for peace in the country, and for his son’s death to be dealt with through the courts. He states he trusts the government to bring justice and while the protests regarding his son's death have encouraged him he doesn't wish to see them continue.
~Continuing to pray for peace.
****EDIT 9h03 (MST)
I have found a different declaration of intent/demands produced by le "Mouvement des Sans-Voix Burkina" (MSV) roughly translated the 'Movement of The Voiceless of Burkina' . While similar in nature the demands are more focused on demanded transparency and justice, and less about removing the current government. The document can be found in french here (I haven't found an english translation just yet). This is the list of demands posted to the facebook group that has been used to organize (in part) the demonstrations in Ouagadougou.
Also the Canadian Press has posted a short summary about the March 11, 2011 protest. The article lists yet a different set of demands than are listed by the MSV or the Youth of the Central-West Region.
****EDIT 9h03 (MST)
I have found a different declaration of intent/demands produced by le "Mouvement des Sans-Voix Burkina" (MSV) roughly translated the 'Movement of The Voiceless of Burkina' . While similar in nature the demands are more focused on demanded transparency and justice, and less about removing the current government. The document can be found in french here (I haven't found an english translation just yet). This is the list of demands posted to the facebook group that has been used to organize (in part) the demonstrations in Ouagadougou.
Also the Canadian Press has posted a short summary about the March 11, 2011 protest. The article lists yet a different set of demands than are listed by the MSV or the Youth of the Central-West Region.
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