Burkina Faso’s transitional parliament has approved a law granting amnesty to soldiers involved in the failed 2015 coup attempt. The decision is seen as part of ongoing efforts to address the country’s tumultuous political history.
The coup, led by members of the Presidential Security Regiment loyal to ousted President Blaise Compaoré, sought to overthrow the transitional government just weeks before elections. The attempt was thwarted when other sections of the military intervened.
Several high-ranking army officers, identified as the masterminds, were convicted and sentenced to prison in 2019. Under the new law, these individuals can seek clemency by formally appealing to the current military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
The 2015 coup was an effort to reinstate Compaoré, who was forced out of office in 2014 after widespread protests against his bid to extend his 27-year rule. He fled the country following his resignation.
Burkina Faso has a history marked by military takeovers and brief periods of democratic governance. Roch Marc Kaboré, elected president after the failed coup, was himself ousted in 2022 by soldiers. Eight months later, another mutiny brought Traoré to power, further solidifying the military’s influence in the Sahel nation.
The amnesty decision has sparked mixed reactions. While some view it as a step toward reconciliation and national healing, others question its timing and underlying motivations.