ABSTRACT
In October 2014, a popular uprising ousted President Blaise Compaoré of Burkina Faso. He had been trying to alter the constitutional term limits preventing him from seeking another term in office. This chapter analyses these events by focusing on three inter-related political opportunity structures. First, a strong historical legacy of protests strengthened the political platform put forward by the opposition, contributing to shape a deep anti-incumbent cleavage. Second, opposition parties were able to coordinate and work with a section of the vibrant civil society to push forward an agenda of democracy and accountability, benefiting from rich personal networks built during previous movements, and hard-won political openings – notably an institutional status for the political opposition and a less repressive environment. Finally, a broad coalition was able to emerge from a common platform centred on the possibility of alternance. This chapter argues that the 2014 insurrection allowed significant, if incremental strides towards more democratic and inclusive politics, and can provide valuable lessons for political protests elsewhere in Africa and beyond.
