Burkina Faso’s transitional legislative assembly has passed a bill granting amnesty to soldiers involved in the failed coup in September 2015.
The law grants amnesty only to events that took place on 15 and 16 September 2015 when members of ex-President Blaise Compaoré’s elite Presidential Security Regiment tried to end the transitional government, less than a month before democratic elections.
Campaoré was forced out of office in 2014 by protesters angered by his attempt to change the constitution to extend his 27-year rule.
‘Administrative grace’
Those seeking what the law calls “administrative grace” must submit a request to the head of state, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
Amnesty decisions will depend on an assessment of the threat the applicant poses to public institutions, and to their commitment to the fight against terrorism
When presenting the legislation, Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala said that applicants will have to admit to facts, behave well, and be willing to be operationally deployed in the fight against terrorism.
Bayala noted that anyone granted amnesty will no longer face legal prosecution, convictions will be overturned and the offenses will not be mentioned in the person’s record.
Several high-ranking officers were sentenced to prison terms in 2019.
Mixed reactions
The legislation, which passed unopposed, with 67 votes in favour and three abstentions, has sparked mixed reactions.
Some view it as a step towards national reconciliation, while others question its motives and potential consequences.
Burkina Faso’s recent political history has been tumultuous. Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, who won the country’s first democratic election in 50 years, was ousted in a military-led insurgency in January 2022. This was followed by a second coup nine months later, lead by Traoré, who is still in power.
(with AFP)
