(singular and plural)adjective:
Burkinabe
Ethnic divisions:
Mossi (about 2.5 million), Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Bobo, Mande, Fulani
Religions:
indigenous beliefs 40%, Muslim 50%, Christian (mainly Roman Catholic)
10%
Languages:
French (official), tribal languages belong to Sudanic family, spoken
by 90% of the population
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
18%
male:
28%
female:
9%
Labor force:
NA (most adults are employed in subsistance agriculture; 52% of
population is 15 years of age or older)
by occupation:
agriculture 80%, industry 15%, commerce, services, and government 5%
note:
20% of male labor force migrates annually to neighboring countries for
seasonal employment (1984)
@Burkina, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Burkina Faso
conventional short form:
Burkina
former:
Upper Volta
Digraph:
UV
Type:
parliamentary
Capital:
Ouagadougou
Administrative divisions:
30 provinces; Bam, Bazega, Bougouriba, Boulgou, Boulkiemde,
Ganzourgou, Gnagna, Gourma, Houet, Kadiogo, Kenedougou, Komoe, Kossi,
Kouritenga, Mouhoun, Namentenga, Naouri, Oubritenga, Oudalan, Passore,
Poni, Sanguie, Sanmatenga, Seno, Sissili, Soum, Sourou, Tapoa,
Yatenga, Zoundweogo
Independence:
5 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday:
Anniversary of the Revolution, 4 August (1983)
Constitution:
2 June 1991
Legal system:
based on French civil law system and customary law
Suffrage:
none
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Captain Blaise COMPAORE (since 15 October 1987); election
last held December 1991
head of government:
Prime Minister Roch KABORE (since March 1994)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; appointed by the president
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Assembly of People's Deputies:
elections last held 24 May 1992 (next to be held NA); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (107 total), ODP-MT 78, CNPP-PSD
12, RDA 6, ADF 4, other 7
note:
the current law also provides for a second consultative chamber, which
had not been formally constituted as of 1 July 1992
Judicial branch:
Appeals Court
Political parties and leaders:
Organization for People's Democracy- Labor Movement (ODP-MT), ruling
party, Simon COMPAORE, Secretary General; National Convention of
Progressive Patriots-Social Democratic Party (CNPP-PSD), Moussa BOLY;
African Democratic Rally (RDA), Gerard Kango OUEDRAOGO; Alliance for
Democracy and Federation (ADF), Amadou Michel NANA
Other political or pressure groups:
committees for the defense of the revolution; watchdog/political
action groups throughout the country in both organizations and
communities
Member of:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, GATT,
IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT,
INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
(vacant); Charge d'Affaires Thomas Yara KAMBOU
chancery:
2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 332–5577 or 6895
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Donald J. McCONNELL
embassy:
Avenue Raoul Follerau,
