Ouagadougou: The digitalization of Burkina Faso's justice sector has resulted in the issuance of more than 600,000 criminal records and over 70,000 nationality certificates, as reported by officials from the Ministry of Justice at the National Forum on the digitalization of the judicial sector.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the Ministry of Justice initiated a two-day national forum in Ouagadougou to explore solutions aimed at enhancing access to justice services for citizens, with a focus on vulnerable populations and internally displaced persons. Zanou Moussa Zango, the Director of Information Systems at the Ministry of Justice, highlighted the operational status of several digital platforms. The platform for online criminal record issuance alone has generated over 600,000 documents, while the nationality certificate platform has processed nearly 70,000. Additionally, since its launch in February, the platform for documents from the RCCM (Register of Commerce and Companies) has produced around 2,000 documents.
Mr. Zango also announced the development of a criminal justice platform that enables citizens to file and track complaints online, with thirteen complaints already registered and processed. In a speech delivered by his chief of staff, Seydou Ou©draogo, the Minister of Justice, Edasso Rodrigue Bayala, emphasized that the goal of digitalization is to bring justice closer to citizens by providing more accessible, faster, and cost-effective services. The minister highlighted the significance of online platforms for issuing criminal records and nationality certificates as key advancements in the modernization of the sector.
Despite these advancements, the minister acknowledged the challenges posed by inadequate infrastructure, poor connectivity, language barriers, and the digital divide. He stressed the importance of developing an inclusive digital justice system that reflects national realities and prioritizes the needs of the population. He expressed optimism that the forum would result in actionable recommendations and a practical roadmap to enhance access to justice in Burkina Faso.
Marie Compaor© Duprez, director of the SAHEL program at The Hague Institute for Legal Innovation (HiiL), praised the strides made in modernizing Burkina Faso's justice system through digitalization. However, she underscored the challenges related to security, connectivity, and unequal access to digital technology. She advocated for a digital transformation that prioritizes improving access to justice for all, particularly vulnerable populations, through solutions that are tailored to local contexts. An inclusive approach based on user support, accessibility, and stakeholder collaboration was emphasized as crucial for the transformation's success.