OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso — Burkina Faso’s transitional parliament has passed a landmark law granting amnesty to soldiers involved in a failed coup attempt in 2015. The decision has reignited debates over justice, reconciliation, and the nation’s tumultuous political history.
The 2015 coup was orchestrated by soldiers loyal to former President Blaise Compaoré, who was ousted in 2014 after 27 years in power. Members of the Presidential Security Regiment attempted to overthrow the transitional government less than a month before scheduled elections. The coup was swiftly thwarted when sections of the military resisted, paving the way for the restoration of civilian rule.
In 2019, several high-ranking officers, deemed masterminds of the failed coup, were sentenced to prison. Under the new amnesty law, these individuals must formally appeal for clemency to Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the country’s current military leader.
The transitional parliament’s decision has drawn mixed reactions. Proponents argue that granting amnesty is a crucial step toward national reconciliation. “This law allows us to turn the page on a painful chapter and focus on building a united Burkina Faso,” said one supporter.
Critics, however, question the law’s timing and implications. “This move raises concerns about accountability and could set a dangerous precedent,” said a political analyst who requested anonymity.
The amnesty law comes against a backdrop of political instability in the Sahel nation, which has endured a series of military coups and fleeting democratic experiments. Compaoré’s long rule ended abruptly in 2014 when protesters, angered by his attempt to extend his tenure through constitutional changes, forced him to flee the country.
The aftermath saw the election of Roch Marc Kaboré, who was deposed in 2022 by soldiers citing insecurity and governance failures. Eight months later, another coup brought Traoré to power, reflecting a pattern of military interventions shaping the nation’s trajectory.
As Burkina Faso grapples with the legacy of its turbulent past, the amnesty measure underscores a broader struggle to balance justice, stability, and reconciliation. Whether this decision marks a step forward or backward remains to be seen.
