Burkina Faso Moves to Reinstate Death Penalty Under New Government Bill

Burkina Faso’s transitional government has taken a major and controversial step in its judicial policy, announcing a draft bill that would restore the death penalty nearly a decade after its abolition. The proposal, adopted this week by the Council of Ministers, marks a significant shift in the country’s approach to criminal justice at a time when national security challenges remain acute.

Under the new bill, capital punishment would be reintroduced for a narrow set of offences, including high treason, terrorism, and espionage. Officials say the move is part of a broader package of legal reforms intended to strengthen state authority and address the growing threat posed by extremist groups across the country’s northern and eastern regions.

Justice Ministry representatives argue that the death penalty could act as a deterrent and reinforce the government’s resolve against attacks that have destabilised much of the nation. They describe the reform as a response to “the people’s demand for firmness” amid rising insecurity.

However, the proposal has already sparked intense debate both inside and outside Burkina Faso. Legal experts and human-rights advocates warn that reinstating capital punishment would undo years of progress and place the country at odds with global trends toward abolition. Critics also point to the risks of judicial error, potential political misuse, and the irreversible nature of the punishment.

Burkina Faso officially abolished the death penalty in 2018, though the last execution dates back to 1988. The new bill therefore represents a sharp reversal of the nation’s previous human-rights commitments. Its introduction comes amid widening concerns about shrinking civic space and increased state control under the current military-led transitional government.

The draft legislation will next be submitted to the Transitional Legislative Assembly for debate and approval. If passed, it would restore capital punishment to the national legal framework for the first time in nearly 40 years.

As public reaction builds, the issue has become a defining test for Burkina Faso’s leadership, balancing the demands of national security with the principles of justice and human rights. The coming weeks are expected to see heated national debate, as citizens, lawmakers, and civil-society groups weigh the implications of reviving one of the world’s most contentious forms of punishment.