Les défis et opportunités de la participation politique des jeunes dans les pays africains en crise : cas du Burkina Faso

Like in many African countries, Burkina Faso has a predominantly youthful population. Yet, despite their demographic significance and active involvement in the October 2014 uprising, young people continue to face substantial structural and institutional barriers that constrain their effective participation in formal political processes. In the midst of a multidimensional crisis, it becomes imperative to interrogate the challenges that hinder youth political engagement in Burkina Faso, while also considering the opportunities that the current context might present for their inclusion and empowerment within the political sphere. This article addresses the following central research question : To what extent can crises, far from merely representing impediments, serve as catalysts for redefining the relationship between youth and political power in Burkina Faso ? The paper argues that, notwithstanding the prevailing crises, youth are mobilizing through alternative and innovative forms of political participation. These emerging practices not only expose the limitations of existing institutional mechanisms but also point toward possible transformations in democratic governance.