Ouagadougou: Burkinabe newspapers this Friday largely focus on the adoption, yesterday Thursday in the Council of Ministers, of the draft law providing in particular for the re-establishment of the death penalty, the increase of fines for certain offences, as well as the good economic performance which made it possible to wipe out 1,200 billion FCFA of domestic debt.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the state daily Sidwaya highlights the nation's economic strides, reporting that by September 30, 2025, Burkina Faso has mobilized 2,500 billion FCFA in domestic resources. This achievement represents a 105% realization compared to forecasts, allowing the country to settle 1,200 billion FCFA of domestic debt. The newspaper further quotes the Minister in charge of the Economy, Aboucar Nacanabo, stating, "Overall, the economy is doing much better, as we expect to reach a growth rate of 6.28% by the end of December."

On the legal front, the focus shifts to the reinstatement of the death penalty in Burkina Faso's penal code. The Bobo-Dioulasso-based daily L'Express du Faso reports that the Council of Ministers adopted the bill on Thursday to reinstate capital punishment, which had been abolished in 2018. The bill specifies that the death penalty will apply to offenses such as high treason, espionage, and terrorism.

Sidwaya elaborates that the bill introduces community service as a primary penalty and criminalizes the promotion and practices of homosexuality. Additionally, fines for offenses have seen a significant increase, rising from 250,000 to 500,000 FCFA for crimes and misdemeanors. Economic crimes involving embezzlement of amounts equal to or exceeding 5 billion FCFA can now result in life imprisonment.