It is as if nothing extraordinary had happened as the city of Bobo-Dioulasso remained calm in the days following the presidential election as well as the legislative election. Here, as in many African countries, no exit poll and, as was the case for the United States, it was not until Thursday afternoon, in relative indifference, to see the declared results.
Sense of derision
It is because the inhabitants of the second city of the country have a sense of derision, even when the subject is tragic. The people questioned on the way in which the day of the Sunday vote unfolded did not hesitate to evoke, in the tone of the joke, this “good word” lent to the terrorist groups opposed to the organization of the poll: ” Those who have dipped their finger in blue ink will be able to say goodbye to their finger. “Tension therefore because of the threat which has led tens of thousands of voters, especially in the northern areas of the country, the most exposed to the jihadist danger, to turn away from the voting booths. What explains a participation rate which plunged by 10 points compared to the previous election to almost 38-40% if one believes ECOWAS.
Proud residents of their city
Bobo-Dioulasso is a town whose oldest inhabitants, like this French consultant with white hair who has been living here for forty years and specializes in import-export of sesame and cashew nuts, hardly appreciate Ouagadougou. The reason ? In the name simply of their affection for their good city of Bobo, which is attractive by the relative mildness of its climate, the particular animation of its nights and the tranquility of its automobile traffic. Bobo the indolente, some would say in comparison with Ouagadougou, the rival. It is therefore an understatement to say that, often, the agitation of “Ouaga” does not reach the regional capital of Hauts-Bassins where we have our gaze turned as much towards Abidjan and the Ivorian border, distant only 150 kilometers, than of Ouagadougou, 400 kilometers away.
Atmosphere full of good humor
This Friday, at the counter of the cafeteria of Bobo-Dioulasso airport which only receives the one international flight from Abidjan, but whose landing strip is however longer than that of Ouaga, we comment with philosophy or resignation the results of the day before. “Me, I voted for Roch, because I am for peace”, explains the barmaid by uncapping a beer “well struck”. The argument is debatable, but when it is presented in the sheer nakedness of those few words, it appears relentless. At the airport, the staff in charge of the police boarding formalities, not always the most jovial in the world, are smiling and empathetic. To the point of congratulating foreigners who have long-term visas and allowing passengers to come out for a cigarette. Great atmosphere !
When Bobo plays the distance
In the large lobby of the Auberge hotel which overlooks its bar, the TV is on on the Burkinabè Radio Television channel. Located in the city center, this institution was opened more than five decades ago by a Lebanese couple. It is THE place of passage and essential meeting of the small Bobolais notability. There, the customers listened to the media recount all week, in a monotonous tone, the partial figures of the election, province by province, municipality by municipality, as they were communicated, without it appearing. to titillate many people. The final results left little room for suspense for the top spot.
On the other hand, the battle for the second position, between Zéphirin Diabré, the dolphin of 2015, and Eddy Komboïgo, the heir of the Congress Party of Blaise Compaoré, yes. In the end, it fell to the accountant, Eddy Komboïgo, with three points ahead of his rival. And since Bobo, it was considered very early, without really caring, that the appeals of the disappointed candidates after the proclamation of the first results, then the decision of the Ceni to suspend a few hours during its work, were in vain.
All in all, it’s hard to find someone in the city to really get excited about politics, as if Burkina Faso had enough trouble like that not to create new ones, through sterile controversies or oratorical jousting. As if from the start, the dice of this election had been thrown, without anyone trying to hold back.
Evening bobo
At nightfall, the “Bobolais” maquis filled up as usual. Simon Sanon, president of the corporation of guides of Bobo-Dioulasso, oscillates between bitterness due to the scarcity of tourist clientele, and slight intoxication created by the aperitif moment. Christian Roch Kaboré? He doesn’t think much of it. “I too am a president, but without means. “And to evoke Ebola, terrorism and the Covid, the infernal triptych that has scared visitors to this city which has so much to offer. In particular, the “porkofou”, this pig cooked whole in an earthen oven for which customers travel twenty kilometers in order to satisfy their taste buds. When returning to Ouaga, on the scrolling television banners in the boarding lounge, it was written: “Roch: the mandate of all challenges” …
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