Burkina Faso has joined the league of nations to have abolished the death penalty. According to Rene Bagoro, Burkina Faso’s Justice Minister, the newly adopted penal code will promote a “more credible, equitable, accessible and effective justice in the application of criminal law.
The local media however believe that the move is not unconnected with the administration’s desire to have the brother of former President Blaise Compaore, extradited from France to face the murder charges against him.
Francois Compaore is currently being held by French authorities. He was implicated in the murder of investigative journalist, Norbert Zonga and then fled to Ivory Coast where he was apprehended by French authorities.
The change in the penal code paves way for the the extradition request to go through as France does not honour extradition requests to countries where the death penalty is still practiced.
The verdict on whether or not the extradition of Mr Compaore will be honoured will be delivered on Friday.
Source BBC Africa