Peaceful Burkina...

 I greet you from a new abode in Ouagadougou.  We moved to the home at the beginning of the week, when political happenings in the city were beginning to settle. 
Last week's protests in the cities of Burkina meant no one went to school - including Professor Millogo.  We went to Bobo Dioulasso instead, spent a happy week cooking, chilling, and listeing to news, and packed our things to move to Ouaga. 

President Blaise Compaore was in power 27 years.  Nov. 2015 was to be the end of his term; last week he tried to change the constitution so he could be re-elected.  If he had peacefully stepped down, people may have put up with him until election next year, but when he stepped out of turn,

brave Burkinabè (weary of his rule) stepped up. 

Blaise resigned that weekend; demonstrations slowed, roads cleared of brush pile blockages, and the 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew shrank in length.  The U.S. Embassy said on Monday morning,

The November 2 gunfire at the Radio Télévision du Burkina station resulted in one civilian death, and the spontaneous nature of this event serves as a reminder that the security environment remains fluid.  Since the conclusion of that incident, there have been no additional reports of looting or civil disturbances. 

At this time, the situation in Ouagadougou is calm.   Most road debris is clear, and many businesses have re-opened.  The police have returned to normal operations in Ouagadougou.  Street traffic appears to have returned to normal. 

A nighttime curfew remains in effect, from 12:00 midnight to 5:00 a.m. 

Embassy personnel are no longer required to shelter in place, but must obey the curfew and have been advised to avoid the area in and around the Place del a Nation, the Prime Ministry and other government buildings (see attached map of the area).  The U.S. Embassy recommends that U.S. citizens practice heightened vigilance if any movement to or within this area is necessary. 

The Ouagadougou International Airport and land borders have reopened.  We encourage U.S. citizens to contact the airlines for more information regarding flight schedules prior to departing for the airport. 

We remind U.S. citizens that as the political situation evolves closures or openings of borders and airports could change.  Additional spontaneous demonstrations may occur with little to no advance warning throughout Burkina Faso until a resolution of the status of a transitional government in Burkina Faso becomes more clearly established.

So last night we took a break and a nice ride through Ouaga.  We stopped for fruit and chicken on the way home after standing by the reservoir for a while.   

Annette pretending she can ride a motorcycle...

Now, getting ready to ride, for real.