In Burkina Faso, the government’s revolutionary discourse and pursuit of national sovereignty have generated considerable hopes and expectations among the population. But what do these political changes mean for people’s everyday lives, their opportunities for participation and their aspirations for a different future? Questions remain about the space for civil society and dissent, the prospects for social and economic transformation, and the extent to which the current political project can deliver on its promises. In this interview, we explore these dynamics, from the legacy of Thomas Sankara to the country’s changing regional and international alliances, with particular attention to the perspectives and concerns of the Burkinabè population.
