Burkina Faso junta brings back death penalty after eight years

Burkina Faso's military government has reinstated the death penalty, eight years after the West African country abolished it. The justice ministry said the change followed a unanimous vote by the country's unelected legislature on Tuesday.

The new penal code, presented by Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala, covers offences including terrorism, espionage, treason, patricide and importing expired or banned products that cause death, according to state news agency AIB.

The ministry said the law "aims to strengthen public order, consolidate the nation's fundamental values and guarantee security for people and property".

Burkina Faso has been run by a military junta since a 2022 coup. Its leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore, announced plans last year to bring back capital punishment.

Why it matters beyond Burkina Faso

The government frames the move as part of its fight against an Islamist insurgency linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State, which has killed thousands and displaced millions of people. Bayala argued that the previous law was too lenient and had helped armed groups recruit members.

But Human Rights Watch has warned that restoring capital punishment could deepen repression and be turned against critics of the military government. Amnesty International had also urged the country not to bring back the death penalty.

According to Amnesty, Burkina Faso's last known judicial execution was in 1988. That means the law's practical effect will depend on how prosecutors and courts choose to use it.

For Nigerians, the decision is a reminder of how insecurity is reshaping law and punishment across West Africa. Countries in the region have faced pressure to appear tough on terrorism, but rights groups say harsh penalties can silence dissent and weaken the rule of law.

What happens next

The revised code is now law, and the justice ministry says it is meant to protect people and property. It is not yet clear when, or whether, prosecutors will seek the death penalty in specific cases.

Rights groups are likely to keep pressing the government over how the law is applied, especially against people who criticise the junta.