CHAPTER THREE: DEMOCRACY AND POLITICAL GOVERNANCE _____________________________________________________________________ high cost of living were organised by trade unions and civil society associations in recent weeks (see Box no. 3.1). The possibility is not excluded that these demonstrations reflect a rampant crisis or contained frustration to which we should remain attentive and that should be defused through constructive actions. Box no. 3.1: Demonstrations against the high cost of living The soaring prices that result from rising crude prices have led some CSOs to launch a movement against an expensive life. The cities of Bobo-Dioulasso, Banfora and Ouahigouya set the tone on 20 and 21 February 2008. Unfortunately, these demonstrations degenerated into chasing races between demonstrators and security forces, resulting in breakage and ransacking. A week later, on February 28, similar events took place in Ouagadougou, where Nana Thibaut declared that the city should be ‘dead’ for one day. In the two largest cities in the country, dozens of demonstrators were arrested: 153 in Bobo-Dioulasso and 169 in Ouagadougou. The criminal chamber of the High Court in each city took responsibility for trying those arrested. BoboDioulasso’s trial was held on February 29, and after nearly 17 hours of hearing, the court convicted 29 accused – with the heaviest sentence being 36 months of imprisonment. A week later, in Ouagadougou, the trial (held on 7, 10 and 11 March) lasted a bit over 40 hours and resulted in 45 convictions to imprisonment, with sentences ranging from 12 to 36 months. The government – after undertaking a series of meetings with the vital forces and representatives of civil society, trade unions, and religious and customary authorities – decided to lower the prices of commodities. This was done by renouncing, for a period of three months, the customs duties and value-added tax (VAT) on certain products of mass consumption. In practice, however, the new prices suggested by the government are only timidly applied by traders in Ouagadougou. Most of them claim not to be able to sell their goods for less than the prices at which they bought them. Thus, the government’s measure of suspending customs duties and VAT on some foodstuffs is not likely to have an immediate effect on households’ budgets. Such a situation calls for the establishment of a watch on the price of consumer products in general, and on the price of basic commodities in particular. 153. Conflicts between civilians and the military. The CRM expresses its concern regarding conflicts between civilians and the military in some areas of Burkina Faso. These, however, are conflicts between isolated individuals and not between bodies and/or persons in charge of civilian and military institutions. These types of conflict occur more frequently in areas where military barracks are located. The most notable of these was the conflict in the region of Dori, where some citizens were beaten by soldiers. In other locations, however, it was civilians who attacked and burned buildings belonging to the security forces. 154. During CRM meetings, it appeared that these conflicts are linked to the weaknesses in the system with regard to the recruitment of members of the defence and security forces, to the shortcomings noted in the training programme (namely as regards human rights), and to the failure to maintain discipline and abide by the republican laws. The discussions led to a greater understanding between civilians and the defence and security force 90