Safety Tips in Burkina Faso

I can hardly imagine anyone encountering problems while travelling around Burkina. Locals are friendly and despite widespread poverty there had been minimal harassments. These were mainly in touristy areas where people have "discovered" that easy money can be made out of tourists. Besides no police check outs were experienced.
The only "danger" I experienced was the the joyfull hordes of children shouting cheerfully around me!!!!!

I found Burkina Faso to be a very safe place to travel. However, I would always avoid the area around the main market in Ouagadougou after dark: it's cavernous and a little unnerving, and there have been many muggings southwest of this area in particular. I walked in many other areas late at night without feeling in any danger, but always took a taxi through this area.

Also, if you are taking a taxi very late at night, take a good look at the driver: I found that it was not uncommon to come across a drunk driver waiting for a fare at night, and not worth the risk to your own life and limb.