Ouagadougou: The government of Burkina Faso has reinstated the death penalty and increased fines for various offenses, following the adoption of a new draft penal code by the Council of Ministers. The meeting, chaired by Head of State Captain Ibrahim Traore, highlighted significant changes aimed at modernizing the country's judicial system.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Minister of Justice, Human Rights, and Relations with Institutions, Edasso Rodrigue Bayala, stated that the reform is intended to align the justice system with the deep aspirations of the Burkinabe people. The revised code introduces the death penalty for severe offenses, including high treason, acts of terrorism, and espionage.

The new legislation also emphasizes community service as a primary penalty and imposes sanctions against the promotion and practice of homosexuality. Additionally, it mandates a general increase in fines, with the minimum fines rising from 250,000 FCFA to 500,000 FCFA for both misdemeanors and felonies.

Minister Bayala highlighted that penalties related to road traffic have been significantly heightened due to the high percentage of traffic accidents resulting in fatalities. Economic crimes such as embezzlement and corruption now carry penalties up to life imprisonment when the value involved exceeds 5 billion FCFA.

The draft code is set to be forwarded to the Transitional Legislative Assembly for further review and potential adoption.