Bobo-dioulasso: OA, a gold miner, was brought before the criminal chamber of the Bobo-Dioulasso High Court on Monday, June 8, 2026, facing charges of trafficking minors. The court is expected to deliver its verdict on June 22, 2026.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the case traces back to January 2026 when OA recruited five minors, aged between 11 and 14, from Koukatenga, a village in the Ddoudou department, for gold mining activities. The authorities apprehended him in Bobo-Dioulasso as he attempted to transport the children to Malian territory in a minibus.

During police interrogation, OA did not dispute the allegations and was subsequently presented before the prosecutor of Burkina Faso. Following his arrest, OA was held in pretrial detention and appeared in court on June 8, 2026.

In his court testimony, OA claimed ignorance of the law prohibiting minor trafficking, admitting he did not verify the children’s ages prior to recruitment. He mentioned his intention to pay them 50,000 CFA francs monthly at the gold mining site.

The prosecutor of Burkina Faso, before presenting his closing arguments, underscored the importance of parental responsibility in safeguarding children from such exploitation. He requested a five-year suspended prison sentence and a fine of 500,000 CFA francs for OA. The prosecution also confirmed that the children have been safely returned to their families. The court’s decision is anticipated on June 22, 2026.