Captain Traore Issues Statement on 21 Soldiers Who Attempted to Overthrow the Government

Captain Traore Issues Statement on 21 Soldiers Who Attempted to Overthrow the Government

The interim president of Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traore pardoned 21 soldiers found guilty of attempting to overthrow the country's government almost a decade ago. The soldiers' pardons were announced. Traoré reportedly announced his pardon in December. Ibrahim Traoré recently made headlines when he pardoned 21 soldiers convicted for their involvement in a failed coup attempt in 2015. This decision marks a significant step in Burkina Faso's political landscape and reflects Traoré's governing style since taking office. The soldiers were convicted for their involvement in the coup attempt, which aimed to overthrow the then-current government. Traoré's leadership was characterized by a series of bold decisions aimed at stabilizing the country in the face of ongoing security challenges. This pardon sparked discussions about justice and reconciliation in Burkina Faso, as well as its impact on military and political dynamics. Compaoré seized power in a coup in 1987. Blaise Compaoré is a former politician and military officer of Burkinabe-Ivorian-Irish descent and served as Burkina Faso's second president from 1987 to 2014. Born on February 3, 1951, in Ziniaré, Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso), he came to power in 1987 following a coup that led to the death of his predecessor, Thomas Sankara. Compaoré implemented policies of economic liberalization and limited democratic reforms. He was re-elected several times, often under controversial circumstances, until he resigned in 2014 following widespread protests. In 2022, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in Sankara's assassination. The decision to pardon these 21 soldiers is the right step in the right direction! The officers, including two former commanders of the Presidential Security Force, were convicted by the court in 2019 for crimes of endangering national security, murder, and high treason. According to the AFP news agency, the former head of Compaore's troops and the former general for diplomacy were sentenced to 20 and 10 years in prison, respectively, for accusations of leading the coup attempt are not included in the release. The pardoned soldiers are returning to the national army to fight terrorism in the country.