Ouagadougou: Some traders at the Rood-Wooko and An II markets in Ouagadougou lamented the sluggish market on Wednesday, just hours before New Year's Eve. They attributed this situation to the difficulties facing the country, while expressing their hope for peace in Burkina Faso in 2026.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the atmosphere in some parts of Ouagadougou resembled that of any other day. From the large Rood-Wooko market to the An II district, traders and vendors unanimously lamented the sluggishness of business. They cited the insecurity that the country has experienced for the past ten years as a primary reason for this downturn. However, they also acknowledged the efforts of President Ibrahim Traore and his government to restore peace.
Karim Yaro, a worker at the Senegalese fish market in Ouagadougou, observed a lack of the expected crowds. In previous years, he noted, customers would rush to buy fish as the holiday approached. Yaro expressed his hopes for health, prosperity, and success for the people of Burkina Faso in the new year, wishing for restored peace.
Issouf Waga, another fishmonger at the same location, shared similar sentiments about the market's performance. He praised the country's fighting forces for their efforts in ensuring the peace of citizens and aiding in national development.
Souleymane Kabore, a reseller from Tanghin-Dassouri, reported a surprising shortage of fish at the Senegalese fish market, suggesting that the high prices of livestock might have driven people towards fish instead.
At the Yaar market in the An II district, vegetable seller Wendaaba Gantara echoed the disappointment over the lack of customers. Gantara expressed a desire for peace in Burkina Faso to enable commercial activities to thrive for the community's benefit.
Moussa Rabo, a chicken vendor at the Yaar market, noted a significant slowdown in customer turnout. He remarked on the scarcity of local and purebred chickens and compared it to previous years when he sold a substantial number of turkeys, unlike the current situation where no turkeys were available.