Politics · Other · 2 hrs ago
Burkina Faso reinstates the death penalty
Burkina Faso’s military government has reinstated the death penalty after the country’s unelected legislature unanimously approved a new penal code on Tuesday, October 20.
The punishment had been abolished in 2018.
State media says it can be imposed for crimes including terrorism, espionage, treason, patricide and importing banned or expired products that cause death.
The country has been ruled by a military junta since a 2022 coup, and its leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, announced plans to restore capital punishment last year.
The last recorded execution was in 1988, according to Amnesty International, which had urged the country not to bring back the death penalty.
The justice ministry says the change is intended to strengthen public order and security, but no further steps are specified.
Burkina Faso’s ruling junta has reinstated the death penalty, the justice ministry said on October 20.
The country’s unelected legislature unanimously approved a new penal code reintroducing capital punishment.
The death penalty had been abolished in Burkina Faso in 2018.
The new code makes terrorism, espionage, treason, patricide and importing certain dangerous products punishable by death.
Amnesty International had urged Burkina Faso not to restore capital punishment.
- Who
- Burkina Faso’s ruling junta and unelected legislature.
- What
- The country reinstated the death penalty through a new penal code.
- When
- October 20, 2026.
- Where
- Burkina Faso, in West Africa.
- Why
- The justice ministry said the code aims to strengthen public order, consolidate national values and guarantee security for people and property.
Burkina Faso’s ruling junta
Amnesty International
Restoring the death penalty
Burkina Faso’s ruling junta
The justice ministry said the new code aims to strengthen public order, consolidate the nation’s fundamental values and guarantee security for people and property.
Amnesty International
Amnesty International had urged Burkina Faso not to bring back capital punishment.
Burkina Faso’s last recorded execution took place, according to Amnesty International.
Burkina Faso abolished the death penalty.
A coup brought the military junta to power.
Junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré announced plans to reinstate the death penalty.
The unelected legislature unanimously approved a new penal code, and the justice ministry said the death penalty had been reinstated.
- Legislative vote
- Unanimous
- Death penalty abolished
- 2018
- Last recorded execution
- 1988
- Junta leader
- Captain Ibrahim Traoré
- Capital crimes listed
- Terrorism, espionage, treason, patricide and importing expired or banned products causing death
What people are saying
aims to strengthen public order, consolidate the nation's fundamental values and guarantee security for people and property
acts of terrorism, espionage, treason, patricide and importing expired or banned products causing death.