Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – April 08, 2025 – Burkina Faso’s military government has granted amnesty to 21 soldiers convicted in the 2015 failed coup against the country’s transitional government, authorities announced Tuesday. The pardon, however, does not extend to the coup’s top leaders, who remain excluded from the reprieve.
Under the terms of the amnesty, the pardoned soldiers are permitted to rejoin the armed forces, though they will be subject to strict conditions. Officials have not detailed the nature of these conditions, but the move is widely interpreted as an effort to reinforce Burkina Faso’s military amid its ongoing struggle against jihadist insurgents.
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The 2015 coup, which briefly disrupted the transitional government following the ousting of longtime President Blaise Compaoré, has remained a contentious chapter in the nation’s history. Analysts see this partial amnesty as a strategic compromise—allowing the government to tap into the experience of lower-ranking soldiers while maintaining a firm stance against the coup’s orchestrators.
The decision comes as Burkina Faso faces escalating security challenges, with jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State intensifying attacks across the Sahel region. The military government, which seized power in a 2022 coup, has prioritized strengthening its forces to combat the insurgency. Observers say reintegrating these soldiers could address critical manpower shortages, though it risks reigniting internal divisions.
The government has yet to comment on how the reintegration process will unfold or whether additional measures are planned to ensure loyalty among the pardoned troops. The move marks a significant step in Burkina Faso’s efforts to stabilize its security forces as the fight against extremism continues.
