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Background
Burkina Faso is located to the south of Mali, north of the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, and Benin, and west of Niger; it is landlocked. It became a French protectorate in 1896, and was named Upper Volta. The French did not develop the country, but instead used the people to work in plantations in the Ivory Coast. It gained its independance in 1960. Burkina Faso had a democracy when it gained independence, but it was toppled in a military coup after unrest. After that, the country went from military coup to military coup. It had many changes in parliament, constitution, and government. In 1983, Captain Thomas Sankara seized power and renamed the country Burkina Faso, which means 'land of honest men.' In 1987 Mr. Sankara was overthrown and killed in a coup by his colleague Blaise Compaore, who went on to become president of the country.
Current Affairs
Burkina Faso has suceeded in becoming a democratic nation again. They currently have a president, President Compaore, and a parliament. Burkina Faso is ranked the world's third poorest country and has the lowest literacy rate in the world. It has also faced concern over the state of its economy and human rights. There have been tensions between Bukina Faso and the Ivory Coast, and there have been allegations that Burkina Faso was involved in the smuggling of diamonds by rebels in Sierra Leone. Burkina Faso's economy is in very poor shape, and many of the crops they produce are failing due to numerous droughts. Their major exports are cotton, animal products, and gold; though, overall, their main export is cotton. They are also big in the film industry. The capital, Ouagadougou, has hosted the biannual FESPACO film festival since 1969, which showcases African films and filmmakers.