Paper short abstract:

In response to the military coup in Burkina Faso, the Wayignans' occupation of public spaces, prompted by the call for citizen vigilance, is analyzed using an ethnographic approach to understand its influence on power dynamics and the redefinition of the state-civil society relationship.

Paper long abstract:

Since the establishment of the military coup led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, a unique dynamic has unfolded in both urban and rural landscapes of Burkina Faso: the occupation of roundabouts and public spaces by groups of citizens commonly referred to as Wayignans. This mobilization, in response to the imperatives of citizen vigilance encouraged by the current military-political regime, is the central focus of this analysis. Grounded in an ethnographic approach, it relies on participatory observation and in-depth interviews with the actors engaged in these groups. The analysis is complemented using secondary data from traditional media and social networks, which have become crucial spaces for information exchange and discussion among participants.

This study meticulously examines the occupation of roundabouts and public spaces by the Wayignans, exploring the symbolic meaning, mechanisms at play, and underlying issues of this mobilization within contemporary political governance. The primary objective is to unravel how this new expression of civil society influences power dynamics, contributing to the redefinition of the relationship between the state and civil society. The analysis also delves into the participants' perceptions of their actions and the roles they ascribe to this mobilization. Finally, it aims to grasp the fundamental dynamics of this mobilization while identifying the factors conducive to this distinctive form of citizen participation.

This contribution falls within the realm of political sociology and social movements, seeking to enrich sociological discourse by offering original perspectives on power dynamics, forms of protest, and emerging social tensions in this particular context.