CHAPTER TWO: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND CURRENT CHALLENGES _____________________________________________________________________ in this respect are commendable. Consequently, the CRM welcomes these efforts by the authorities. Nevertheless, there is still some way to go in order to consolidate democracy and, in particular, to ensure fairness: (i) the complete separation and independence of constitutional powers as the major axis for consolidating democracy and political governance, and (ii) complete political pluralism by opening or even ‘unlocking’ the system of democracy and pluralism that is somehow being stifled by the omnipresent weight of the majority party which, although it indeed ensures the stability of institutions, digs a hole in which a social time bomb awaits detonation – something that is to be seen elsewhere on the continent. The revision of the legal and institutional framework (including the Charter of Political Parties and the electoral register), the issue of human rights, political transhumance at times (as mentioned above) and access to justice for the broad masses must be part of the effort to ensure that democracy and political governance become deeply rooted. 92. The second issue is the canker of corruption, a canker that serves to alienate the government and the governed, and causes divisions between the system of governance of the majority party and the people. If not bridged, this divide will continue to grow, which, in turn, could fuel destabilising frustration and discontent that can be easily exploited. Waging a frontal battle against this scourge that weighs on the system of political governance and at the same time corrupts has become a top priority for the political leaders of present-day Burkina Faso. 93. The third issue is to involve women and the youth in the development process as full-fledged partners and actors. Indeed, progress in this area has to date been somewhat timid and should therefore be encouraged, if not forced. The development of an emerging Burkina Faso by the year 2025 requires youths and, even more so, women (who constitute more than half the population of Burkina Faso) who are prepared for their responsibilities. The Burkina Faso of tomorrow cannot come about without the full participation of women. Progress in this area is, however, still slow and should be intensified. 94. Finally, another issue is the entrenchment of a political and democratic governance that gives to citizens the dividends of sustainable human development, thereby guaranteeing the five human securities with which the country is so familiar, namely political and physical safety, food security, economic security, social security and environmental security. These dividends are probably the principal criterion for ensuring the success of democracy and political governance. 2.4 Economic constraints and challenges 95. From an economic point of view, the first set of issues is to build consensus regarding the vision articulated by the authorities for the development of an emerging economy by the year 2025. By achieving such consensus, the vision will be owned by the different components of society. In this context, the 56