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Burkina Faso’s transitional parliament has passed a law granting amnesty pardons to soldiers convicted for their roles in the failed coup in September 2015. The bill was passed unopposed, winning 67 votes out of 70 representatives.
Burkina Faso’s transitional parliament has passed a law granting amnesty pardons to soldiers convicted for their roles in the failed coup in September 2015. The bill was passed unopposed, winning 67 votes out of 70 representatives in favour. The approved amnesty will nullify all legal prosecutions or convictions. The law specifically covered the soldiers involved in the coup attempt on September 15 and 16, 2015. Elite guard of the former presidential security regiment, ex-President Blaise Compaoré participated in the coup attempt.
The Applications for amnesty are to be submitted to the Head of state, Captain Ibrahim Traoré. Applicants will be evaluated on two primary criteria: their demonstrated commitment to combating terrorism and assurance that they pose no threat to national institutions, public safety, or private property.
President Campaore was forced out of office in 2014 for his attempt to tamper with the constitution to continue his 27-year rule. In 2015, a group of soldiers from the country’s Presidential Security Regiment, loyal to ousted President Blaise Campaore, attempted to reinstate him by trying to overthrow the transitional government prior to the elections. The coup attempt was aborted by the military. The coup leaders, including several high-ranking army officers, were sentenced to prison.
The Sahel country has witnessed several army takeovers in the last few years. Roch Marc Kabore who was elected President shortly after the 2015 coup attempt was also deposed in 2022. Again, after eight months, a new military junta headed by Traore took over the office.
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Political observers evaluate the move differently, some regard it as a positive step towards reconciliation, while others suspect its motivation and implic
