November 29, 2015 marked a historic day in Burkina Faso, as the freest, fairest and most competitive elections took place since the country’s independence from France in 1960. Burkinabe have awaited this day since massive demonstrations in October 2014 drove out former president Blaise Compaoré, who first came to power in a coup d’état in 1987. From November 2014, a transitional government led the country in preparation for joint presidential and legislative elections scheduled for October 11, 2015.