Burkina Faso to reinstate death penalty for treason, terrorism, espionage

DAKAR, Senegal Burkina Fasos Council of Ministers has approved a draft law aimed at reintroducing the death penalty for crimes including treason, terrorism, and espionage, officials confirmed.

Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala stated on Facebook on Thursday that, This draft law is part of a series of reforms intended to establish a justice system that meets the profound expectations of our citizens.

The death penalty had been eliminated in Burkina Faso in 2018. The proposed legislation still requires parliamentary approval and judicial review before it can be enacted.

Since assuming control in a 2022 coup, the military leadership of the country has implemented extensive reforms. These include delaying elections meant to return the nation to civilian governance and dissolving the independent electoral commission.

In recent years, Burkina Faso has intensified restrictions on critical media. The government suspended the BBC and Voice of America radio broadcasts after their reporting on a massacre of civilians by the armed forces, and earlier this year detained three prominent journalists.

The country is part of a broader trend in West Africa, where military takeovers have occurred amid public dissatisfaction with prior elected governments over security concerns. The military administration has faced allegations of human rights violations and the detention of journalists critical of its actions.

Burkina Faso, home to roughly 23 million people, continues to confront severe security challenges in the Sahel region. The nation has experienced escalating violence from extremist groups associated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.

Author: Benjamin Carter