Burkina Faso’s government has approved a bill that could reinstate the death penalty. Officials say it would apply to crimes such as treason, terrorism, and spying.
Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala said the goal is to create a justice system that matches what people want. Burkina Faso abolished the death penalty in 2018. The bill still needs to pass through parliament and be reviewed by the courts before it can become law.
Since the military took power in 2022, they have made several major changes. They postponed elections meant to restore civilian rule and dissolved the independent election commission.
The government has tightened its control over the media, suspending BBC and Voice of America for reporting on a military-led killing and arresting several journalists this year. In West Africa, many countries are now run by the military, often because people are frustrated with growing insecurity. Military leaders in Burkina Faso have been accused of violating people’s rights, while extremist groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State continue to cause problems. Life is difficult for the 23 million people who live there.
