Location: UN Roundabout in Ouagadougou and other major cities
Event: Demonstrations in Ouagadougou and other major cities on January 22, 2022
Demonstrations are expected to take place in Ouagadougou, on January 22, 2022, at approximately 8:00 am at the UN Roundabout. The tentative end for demonstrations is 10:00 am, with a public meeting to follow. The planned demonstration route could possibly impact the following roads: Kwamé Nkrumah Avenue, Houari Boumediene Avenue, Cathédrale Avenue, Cineastes Roundabout, and Nation’s Avenue.
Demonstrators may congregate near the UN Roundabout. Expect roadblocks or large groups of demonstrators in the vicinity of the demonstration route and surrounding areas. Counter-protests may also spontaneously develop at other locations in Ouagadougou throughout the weekend.
Other demonstrations may occur in Bobo-Dioulasso and other major cities throughout Burkina Faso.
Exercise caution when in the vicinity of any large gatherings or protests. Demonstrations intended to be peaceful can quickly turn confrontational and escalate into violence. Be alert, remain aware of your surroundings, and stay informed of local media reports. Be prepared, and ensure you have a supply of food, water, and first aid items at your home to last three days in case the situation requires you to shelter-in- place. If you have a vehicle, ensure it is at least half full of fuel.
Avoid risking your safety to take photographs or videos. Attempts to take videos or photographs of demonstrations may attract attention and antagonize the crowd.
Actions to Take:
· Avoid the areas of the demonstrations.
· Exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests.
· Monitor local media for updates.
· Keep a low profile.
Assistance:
· U.S. Embassy Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
(226) 25 49 53 00
OuagaACS@state.gov
· State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
· Burkina Faso Country Information
· Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates
