Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso — President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso opened the 12th International Conference on AIDS and STDS (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) in Africa (ICASA) on Sunday 9 December in the capital city, Ouagadougou. Up to 10 percent of the population is estimated to be infected with HIV in Burkina Faso, one of the worlds poorest countries and one of the nations in West Africa hardest hit by the pandemic. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) organized a media visit to coincide with the ICASA conference in Ouagadougou and to assess Burkina Fasos efforts in the fight against HIV/Aids. A group of international journalists, including allAfricas Ofeibea Quist-Arcton, interviewed President Compaore about Aids and other pressing national issues. Excerpts:
President Blaise Compaore, since we arrived in Burkina, we have seen your image on posters, a photograph of you, looking informal and sitting beside a woman who has publicly declared that she is HIV-positive. Why have you taken this initiative?
These initiatives are what I would describe as part of the social mobilisation that we are currently organizing in the fight against this scourge, Aids. Here in Africa, and at the United Nations, we have said that what is needed is true 'leadership to champion the fight against Aids. That would necessarily include the involvement of the authorities at the highest level of the nation, from the executive right down to the people.
So, I took the decision, personally, that we would chair the National Council for the fight against Aids in Burkina Faso. And we are also taking part of the responsibility - whether at the level of communication or discussions on strategy or the steps we should be taking.
Mr President, there are those who say that Burkina is a little late tackling Aids.
I dont know at what level you mean. But we are organized, whatever the case. We have had structures in place for a number of years. We have pilot projects operating in certain regions of the country. We have sentinel sites, which allow us to gather considerable information and data. Today the real problem is information. I believe that all Burkinabe, or at least most people here nowadays, know about the danger of this disease.
What we still have to deal with is behaviour. Some people are still not changing their bad habits in the way we would wish. Apart from that hurdle, I have to say that our main problems are overwhelmingly financial and material. Now, its how to implement the strategies that have been worked out.
Exactly. Concretely what is the government doing to help people living with HIV and Aids?
Of course the government is fully involved as far as Aids awareness and education is concerned. As you well know, what is critical in this fight is, first and foremost, prevention. And for prevention to succeed, the citizens of this country must be informed about the danger of this scourge, the dangers of HIV.
I think at, at this level, there have been tremendous efforts, together with the international community, of course, to organize Aids awareness campaigns for our people.
We have established a support fund. The government has created a fund for people living with Aids in Burkina Faso. There has been considerable assistance already in this regard. We have put in place a certain number of measures for surveillance. And, as Ive already mentioned, there was a pilot project. And since then, we have set up sentinel sites, which mean we can follow developments in the disease.
Also, we have scientists in this country who are working with others in Africa, to share their experiences. And, as far as Burkina Faso is concerned, let me tell you that this battle against Aids is running full tilt. But for a developing country like ours, resources are not always sufficient for us to totally take over the cost of caring for those living with Aids.
Talking about resources, Burkina is about to take a decision about HIPC (the initiative for Highly Indebted Poor Countries). What resources will be committed to the fight against Aids and, of course, education, because the two go hand in hand?
In the next five years, we will need to raise more than CFA70bn (US$95m ). And that is way above, three times greater than (what we would get from) HIPC. So, we are not relying on HIPC financially in this battle against Aids.
What we will have to do is mobilise our development partnerships. Now, during the first round table discussions, these partners assured us of their contribution and participation to raise essential resources. And you know, apart from Aids, theres the question of poverty and other factors in a country like ours. There are many reasons why the HIPC initiative should be applicable.
So, specifically for this fight against Aids, we are counting first on an international mobilisation, such as was committed at the United Nations and other fora, so that we will be able to ensure the financial aspects and expenses related to this battle.
Are you satisfied with the contribution of the West in your fight against Aids, especially medication and anti-retroviral drugs and their cost for the people of Burkina?
One thing is for sure. Efforts have been made so that we can buy these medications at lower prices than just a few months ago. But, they still cost way more than most Burkinabe can even hope to afford, you see. First of all you have to be able to pay for this medication. Secondly, as you know, so many people living with HIV/Aids are simply unable to work any more, which means they arent earning any money to be able to pay for these drugs.
So, were confronted with a dual problem for these people. The only way forward is for the international community to advance the debate on Aids treatment, and the cost of these drugs, and take on some of the responsibilities linked to the social support of people living with HIV/Aids.
Of course, at the WTO (World Trade Organisation) we understood that initiatives have been taken to allow access to these drugs for people living with HIV/Aids in poor countries. But, what concerns us is the gap between the signing of an international protocol and its implementation. It always takes time and, of course, that is fatal for thousands, even millions, of Aids sufferers.
So, we hope to see swift action. But we understand that the WTO has taken a decision and there is agreement on these medications.
Burkina has managed to negotiate preferential tariffs with some of the pharmaceutical companies, notably for the provision of anti-retroviral drugs. You spoke about agreements within the WTO. Will Burkina be using generic, as opposed to brand name, drugs in its fight against Aids?
The debate on generic drugs is about just that. What should we be prepared to accept? Can humanity accept that the drugs are the property of the North while those living with HIV/Aids are the responsibility of the South? Thats the problem.
Generic drugs or no generic drugs, what we would like is to find a formula that will ensure that people living with HIV/Aids in the South can be cared for in better circumstances, with easier and more affordable access to medication, whether the drugs are copies or originals. The most important thing is that access to drugs must be guaranteed to all sufferers. That is our wish.
We are told that there is already a pledge for the distribution of drugs to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV to start in Burkina. But theres no such programme yet in place.
You know what, its not that simple. We arent talking about candy here. You have to make sure that the proper infrastructure is in place, medically and otherwise, for distribution to work. People have to be specially trained, because were talking about drugs here, not just your Nivaquine and such.
You have to know what you are doing, the health providers and others. You have to know about the products you are administering and how to use them. Until we have those mechanisms in place, all the necessary infrastructure, it would be difficult for us to begin distribution of these drugs to stop mother-to-child transmission, but that is certainly what we would like to see.
Were on the road, were getting there; we are making sure that everyone understands how these drugs should be used.
The UN has set up a Global Health Fund (for Aids, tuberculosis and malaria). But when you take the international economic climate into consideration, do you think it will achieve its objectives and raise the target amount that has been set?
A: Well, whats for sure is that in this day and age, it cannot be said that the international community doesnt have the money (I believe the target amount is US$7bn). You cant tell me that the global community, which makes more than $30,000bn in GDP is not able to galvanize everyone into finding 7bn to help care for Aids sufferers in the world?
You know what, if this isnt possible then I think we must highlight a distinct lack of political will. The international community has the capacity and the resources to mobilise this target figure to help look after people living with HIV/Aids.
How these funds will be used is another question of course. We agree with you that the most important thing is that, after the funding has been raised, we must have the right mechanism in place to ensure that the money goes to the right people, for their care and their medication.
Thats why, when you take the case of a country like Burkina, we have worked on the implementation and strategies, which are clearly defined in this fight against Aids. So, the action we need to take includes prevention, surveillance, support for sufferers and, of course, correct management of this international partnership.
All that is clearly defined and targeted, with figures, in a mutual agreement between Burkina and the community of development partners. What I mean is that the mechanisms that will ensure proper management of these kinds of funds between the government and the donors are in place.
Is Burkina happy with the role it has been given in the disbursement of the funds from the Global Health Fund and the funds it has been allocated to fight Aids?
I must say that we had meeting, a month ago, which I personally chaired. In this meeting, there were representatives from among our partners, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the European Union and the World Health Organisation, as well as bilateral partners. That day the Netherlands ambassador was present. And we met for about 10 hours, a meeting that I personally presided over.
And I must tell you that we have noted that the will is there, on behalf of the international community, to help us, to support us in the efforts we are making currently.
Financial commitments have been made. But as I said earlier, making a financial commitment is one thing, making it happen is another. And we are currently discussing the latter.
But, were on the right road. There is a synergy, a symbiosis, between our action and the support of our bilateral and multilateral partners.
When people stop me in the street, they ask 'Why is our country, Burkina, classified among the poorest? Im asking you the same question. Burkina has received support from the international community for a long time. So, why is it still among the poorest? And how come the strategies that have been in force for more than a decade are not bearing fruit?
I dont think its financial assistance that accounts for the wealth of a country. I believe that, in the first place, its the capacity of a given country, and its own wealth, that create true prosperity. And theres no doubt that if you read about Burkina, or if you come here yourself, this is certainly not the most well-endowed country in the world, whether in natural or mineral resources or whatever else.
I believe that ours is a country that relies, above all, on the efforts of its citizens in all domains, agriculture, livestock, craft, as well as the support of the international community. Of course, you're limited if the natural resources of your country don't complement these efforts.
As Ive said, we are not naturally well-endowed with resources as a country. But, you have been around Burkina. Yes, people are poor. But when you consider the economic condition of Africa, we certainly cannot say that, here in Burkina, we are the worst off on the continent. I think that the Burkinabe know that.
The work that has been done is beginning to show some results. Take running water for instance - a few years ago, that was not the case. Now we have drinking water all over the country. And, for a country like Burkina, that means improved health, better nutrition and other essential factors.
As far as schooling is concerned, I think everyone is aware that we have made progress. Then, look at the roads. That wasnt the case before. And, in general, despite our limitations and, indeed, our history, I would say this country is certainly moving forward.
We see that the support of the international community for Burkina is key in the fight against AIDS, poverty, the struggle for development etc. Burkina Faso needs the international community. But, the image of Burkina has been somewhat tarnished by certain events, especially the Norbert Zongo saga; the murder of the Burkinabe journalist (13 December 1998). The image of Burkina in the outside world was seriously hurt by this affair. Three years later, almost to the day, still no light has been cast on this episode or who gave the orders for the killing of Zongo. So, there is still suspicion about who was responsible and, of course, there were suspicions that there might have been some involvement at the highest level of government.
Listen, this is not the only country in the world which has problems. You come from countries where we follow, on our radio and television sets, whats going on. There are accidents, assassinations and deaths that sometimes go unresolved for years.
You know what? If Burkina has been able to host the Parliaments of the World and, you journalists, you are here with hundreds of other foreigners at the moment (attending the Aids in Africa conference), thats because, contrary to what some people choose to believe, Burkina is held in high esteem. And I would like to emphasise that.
High esteem, yes, but in this lingering affair the highest levels of the state have been called into question.
But only by you, the journalists.
Not only.
By whom then?
The opposition in Burkina. Your political opponents.
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Let me tell you that in every country, there are problems that are dealt with by the justice system. We have a justice ministry, that follows these cases, as they do in your countries. I dont think such an event means that Burkina should be excluded from the world community. Because, and let me repeat it, there are countries where sometimes even more serious things are happening, and we know that.
You cant tell us that this tarnishes the image of such and such a country for ever. Look at the political and economic life of Burkina; it hasnt just come to a standstill, despite what has been written and the injurious propaganda campaign against this country. I think that people can see the reality for themselves, despite the lies and calumny.
But Mr President, does the Norbert Zongo affair bother you?
Bother whom? Why?
Because the saga continues, three years later?
Do you think that this is the only affair in the world, that its the most serious? Go around the world. Tell me if this is the first most serious case that has happened to a country, where there has been a death that is being dealt with at the highest level of a justice system, which is the only one to be able to tell you how far it has got. Its not a presidents duty to tell you!
Perhaps its because we are here with you that we have taken the liberty of asking these questions
I am telling you what I can tell you. But you know what, we have a Justice Minister who can tell you more.
Could we talk about the visit to Burkina Faso of the president of Cote dIvoire, Laurent Gbagbo, on 4 December? It was a flying visit, his first since he was sworn in last year. And, of course, there have been problems between Burkina and Cote dIvoire, after many Burkinabe felt threatened and fled Cote dIvoire. President Gbagbos visit was meant to last two days, but he only stayed a few hours. Does that mean that things are still tense between Burkina and Cote dIvoire?
It was a diary problem. President Gbagbo told me so. He had a full day of engagements on Monday, with the leadership of the Reconciliation Forum. But contact has been made and thats whats important. We said that. President Gbagbo echoed it. We have agreed to work together and smooth out what could be considered to have led to differences between our two countries.
Are you planning to see each other again?
Certainly. We are even going to see each other again this month, in Dakar for the summits of the West African Economic and Monetary Union and Ecowas, the Economic Community of West African States. And in 2002, we are planning to organise working sessions between our two authorities.
What about? Will immigration be central to these discussions?
The immigration question - well, yes, immigration. What I mean is that, of course, we have some concerns for the Burkinabe living in Cote dIvoire. We do have some concerns about the free movement of people between our two countries and we want to ensure theres a will that integration between our two countries will move more quickly.
So, there are plenty of issues to be discussed and dealt with.
So, can we take it that youre less concerned today than you were a year ago, for instance, about what was going on across the border Cote dIvoire?
I think well wait to see what comes out of the Reconciliation Forum in Cote dIvoire and what the recommendations will be. After all, if there was such a Forum, it indicates that there was a need to discuss and resolve certain issues. So, well all have to wait for the results of the Forum to see whether, indeed, there has been real progress that will take us beyond the problems in Cote dIvoire or not.
