VZCZCXRO7884
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHOU #0424/01 1401704
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 191704Z MAY 08 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY OUAGADOUGOU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3697
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE WASHINGTON DC
RUCNDT/USUN NEW YORK
RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RHMFISS/CDR USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 OUAGADOUGOU 000424 
 
SIPDIS 
 
AF/W FOR EMILY PLUMB, JASON HUTCHISON 
AF/EPS FOR AMY BRIETER 
USAID FOR AFR/WA 
COMMERCE FOR SALIHA LOUCIF 
TREASURY FOR OFFICE OF AFRICAN NATIONS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV ELAB ECON EFIN PHUM PINS UV
SUBJECT:  BURKINA FASO: GENERAL STRIKE AGAINST THE RISING COST OF 
LIVING ENDS WITHOUT INCIDENT 
 
 
OUAGADOUGO 00000424  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
Reftels: A) OUAGADOUGOU 132, B) OUAGADOUGOU 126, 
         C) OUAGADOUGOU 221, D) OUAGADOUGOU 263, 
          E) OUAGADOUGOU 309 
 
¶1. Key Points: 
 
- Burkinabe unions expressed satisfaction with their nationwide 
strike on May 13-15 to protest the rising cost of living. 
 
- Participation was light in most cities and there were no incidents 
of violence.  Between 6-8,000 peacefully participated in a May 14 
rally in Ouagadougou.  Government services were the most affected. 
Private Burkinabe-owned businesses remained open throughout the 
strike, while a limited number of foreign-owned businesses near 
march sites closed in the mornings. 
 
- Unions plan other citywide closing of businesses should the 
government fail to address their complaints. 
 
¶2. Key Judgments: 
 
-- Merchants have largely ignored the Government's attempts to 
reduce prices on a small basket of food products by temporarily 
eliminating taxes; they also complain that that GOBF's attempts to 
limit gross margins on these products are ill considered and ignore 
market realities. 
 
-- In Government may propose an increase, probably modest, in 
salaries and pensions in an attempt to placate the unions.  The 
GOBF-union standoff is unlikely to be solved, however, until price 
rises subside and economic growth picks up. 
 
End Key Points and Key Judgments. 
 
Unions Three-Day General Strike was Peaceful, but Marchers Voiced 
their Accusations against the Government Inaction 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶3. Burkinabe unions ended on May 15 their three-day nationwide 
strike against the rising cost of living.  They met internally on 
May 13 and rallied peacefully on May 14 to request that the 
government meet their demands (ref E).  Between 6-8,000 participated 
May 14 in Ouagadougou in a one-hour rally over a GOBF-approved, 
five-kilometer route.  Some protesters accused the government of 
conniving with business people to the detriment of the population. 
Bassolma Bazie, Deputy Secretary General of Burkina Faso General 
Workers Confederation, for example, told Political Assistant that 
the Burkinabe government, unlike its Malian counterpart, was 
unwilling o control prices because it was a shareholder in most big 
businesses in Burkina Faso. 
 
Unions Consder Strike a Success 
------------------------------- 
 
¶4. Union sources expressed satisfaction wih the success of their 
three-day nationwide strie.  According to them, approximately 60-95 
percen of Burkinabe workers participated in the strike.  These 
statistics vary from one city to another and from one sector to 
another.  According to Emboffs, the strike mostly affected public 
service sectors such as water, electricity, education, and health. 
Private Burkinabe businesses remained open.  A limited number of 
foreign businesses like Lebanese owned-Marina Market food chains 
closed in the mornings, but opened in the afternoons. 
 
Unions Plan Shift from Threat Level Yellow 
to Red if GOBF Remains Unresponsive to Complaints 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶5. Unions called on their coalition supporters from bothpublic and 
private sectors, students, civil society including human rights 
groups, and political parties to standup against the rising cost of 
living and corruption.