Burkina Faso is considering reintroducing the death penalty as part of potential changes to its criminal code, a government source disclosed. The nation’s last execution was in 1988, involving four leaders accused of an attempted coup against then-president Blaise Compaoré. Justice Minister Rodrigue Bayala noted that the proposal is still in preliminary discussions and may be presented to the Transitional Legislative Assembly (ALT) for approval.
This move aligns with the junta government’s broader goals following Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s 2022 coup. Though he initially promised a return to civilian rule by mid-2023, the junta recently extended its rule by five years and has pursued other legal reforms, including passing anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in July.
Across sub-Saharan Africa, views on the death penalty are mixed. Amnesty International reported a significant increase in executions and death sentences in the region, though 24 countries have abolished the practice for all crimes, and more are in the process of doing so. Both Kenya and Zimbabwe are advancing bills to abolish the death penalty, while Gambia has initiated constitutional changes to this effect.
