Ouagadougou:Burkina Faso's justice system collected 1.95 billion CFA francs in fines over a six-month period in 2026 by implementing alternative measures to prosecution. This marks a significant increase from the 270 million CFA francs collected between 2022 and 2024, as announced by Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala during a government exhibition aimed at providing citizens with an account of state management.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Minister Bayala highlighted the progress made since September 2022 under the leadership of President Ibrahim Traoré. He explained that the alternative measures allow individuals who admit to an offense to request a transaction from the prosecutor. If the individual does not pose a societal threat and compensates the injured party, they may be granted release upon paying a fine.
The minister noted that, as of August 2026, 350 million CFA francs were collected, with more than 300 million CFA francs in September alone. Between 2023 and 2025, the ministry mobilized 10.38 billion CFA francs for fines and disputed claims, compared to 277 million CFA francs in previous years.
Operation "Empty Lockers," initiated in 2025, was a significant effort to address the backlog of court cases. Over 8,000 cases were judged in fifty-five days, and more than 18,000 proceedings have since been cleared. Additionally, several jurisdictions, including those in Djibo, Dori, Kongoussi, Bogandé, Tougan, and Nouna, have resumed operations after being relocated due to security concerns.
The minister also discussed various reforms, including constitutional revisions for establishing national languages as official languages, opening the High Council of the Judiciary to non-magistrates, and introducing a single judge system. Other reforms involve holding trials in national languages and issuing judgments via videoconference. The creation of criminal chambers within high courts and the expansion of labor courts were also highlighted.
In the fight against terrorism and economic crime, more than 41 billion CFA francs in penalties have been issued, alongside the seizure of unvalued movable and immovable properties. The community service program, which produced 604 tons of grain, and the local production of judicial robes using domestic cotton, were also mentioned as achievements.