BURKINA FASO: ECONOMICS AND DEMOCRACY ARE

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SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL SOCI UV
SUBJECT: BURKINA FASO: ECONOMICS AND DEMOCRACY ARE
HIGHLIGHTED IN COMPAORE,S NEW YEAR,S SPEECH.


1. (U) SUMMARY: In his traditional New Year's address,
President Blaise Compaore focused on economics, including
sustainable and balanced development, economic growth, the
fight against corruption, and infrastructure development. He
also reflected on broader aspects of democracy with an
emphasis on education and health reforms, and broached the
topic of institutional and political change. Compaore
announced that as of January 2010, anti-retroviral treatment
(ARV) for HIV positive patients would henceforth be free of
charge. The president declared that, despite adversity,
climactic or economic, Burkina Faso is progressing. END
SUMMARY.

Focus on economics
--------------


2. (U) In his traditional New Year's address, President
Blaise Compaore said that during the past year, Burkina Faso
has focused on, and will continue to focus on, sustainable
and balanced development. Host to the Seventh World Forum on
Sustainable Development, Burkina Faso also took an active
role during the Copenhagen Summit: "I hope that the nations
of the world will ensure they bequeath a livable planet to
future generations."


3. (U) He went on to say that throughout the past year,
economic crises and meteorological changes impacted Burkina
Faso negatively by affecting export revenues and decreasing
investment opportunities. Despite the global economic
downturn, Burkina Faso made notable economic progress in 2009
and has nurtured hope in the development of a mining
industry. The economic environment has made it clear that
there is a necessity to engage in multi-faceted development
as a way to limit the impact of a sometimes fickle and
unpredictable world economy, the president claimed. The G-20
summit and its quest for a sounder world economic order is a
source of hope for less developed countries, according to
Compaore, and Burkina Faso reaffirmed its belief that through
regional economic integration (across the African continent)
State economic vulnerabilities can be limited.


4. (U) In order to increase the efficiency of development
strategies the president added, financial accountability of
public spending needs to be further highlighted. The fight
against corruption, in all spheres (political, economic and
social) is indispensable: "It is imperative to continue the
fight against corruption, but also encourage sound management
practices of State resources. These practices will lead to
a healthier business climate." President Compaore suggested
that in order to provide better access to transportation for
rural populations, infrastructural investments need to be
made, notably to build roads, railroads and airports. In the
coming year, a special emphasis will be placed on the
construction of rural roads in order to strengthen the
decentralization process. The network that interconnects
Burkina Faso to the Ivorian electrical system will also be
enlarged to provide better reliability and a wider
distribution of energy.

Emphasis on democratic principles and basic social services
-------------- --------------


5. (U) The second part of Compaore's New Year's speech
focused on democratic principles and prerequisites. He
explained that basic social services, such as education and
health would become priorities in 2010 and promised
investments in those domains. He also reflected on the
achievements of the past year, particularly those that
demonstrated democratic progress such as official conferring
of a the status of "leader of the opposition," passage of an
electoral gender quota law (for legislative and municipal
elections only),and the signing of a private media
convention. Compaore offered that these are examples of how
Burkina Faso wants to build a peaceful and just society:
"Throughout the year, the people of Burkina Faso have
demonstrated their willingness to anchor democracy firmly."
Looking forward Compaore suggested that changes would be
necessary to consolidate democracy and strengthen the
institutions: "The strengthening of a democratic culture
demands the elaboration and application of political and
institutional reforms."


6. (U) Recognizing that human capital is the most precious
resource to ensure durable development, Compaore explained
that improvements to the education system would also be a
priority in 2010. He promised that schools and universities
will be built during the coming year, a special teacher
status will be ratified and finally progress would be made to
narrow the gender gap in education. In an announcement that
made headlines in most newspapers, Compaore declared that ARV
treatment for HIV positive patients would henceforth be free

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in Burkina Faso.


7. (U) Social peace in Burkina Faso is dependent on peace
in Africa suggested Compaore, and Africa will be incapable
of focusing on the numerous obstacles to development without
that peace. Further elaborating, he recalled that during its
UNSC presidency (December 2009),Burkina Faso had worked hard
towards achieving this ongoing peace. "We must continue to
work towards peace, we must work to restore dialogue among
belligerent groups in order to achieve this peace."


8. (U) The New Year's address concluded by promising that
2010 would be the year during which "democracy will be firmly
rooted in Burkina Faso, and during which freedoms will be
expanded notably with the holding of Presidential elections."
(Note: Elections are slated for November 2010. It is widely
believed that Compaore, who has been in power since 1987,
will easily win reelection. End Note.) Without omitting to
mention the role of international donors and supporters,
Compaore included them in his recognition and thanks: "I
express my gratitude to the friends of Burkina Faso,
development partners, and each member of the international
community that constantly supports our quest for progress."


9. (SBU) COMMENT: While his roadmap for the coming year
might appear a little ambitious, Compaore's speech contained
a number of interesting points. Of note is the fact that for
the third time in a month (December 11, December 30 and
December 31st) he has mentioned the need for political and
institutional reform. Certainly not far from the Compaore's
mind was the fact that elections are just around the corner.
Also, because the President has been criticized for spending
so much time on international affairs and mediation of
regional disputes, he probably felt the need to concentrate
on domestic issues in the run-up to the elections and burnish
his credentials on the home front.
LAEUCHLI