On 1 September, the Transitional Legislative Assembly’s 71 members unanimously passed a new Personal and Family Code that criminalizes consensual same-sex relations for the first time in the country’s history. The law imposes prison sentences of two to five years and fines ranging from XOF 2 to XOF 10 million (EUR 3,000 to EUR 15,000) for individuals convicted of homosexuality or of ‘promoting homosexual practices.’ Foreign nationals found guilty face imprisonment under the same provisions and subsequent expulsion from the country. Rights groups have condemned the law as discriminatory and in violation of regional and international legal commitments, warning it will further endanger LGBTQIA+ individuals and entrench state-sponsored repression. The legislation now awaits the signature of junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who is expected to enact it into law.

Sources: Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Radio France Internationale, le Faso, International IDEA

On 1 September, Burkina Faso’s Transitional Legislative Assembly adopted a new Personal and Family Code that sets the minimum legal age for marriage at 18 for both girls and boys and establishes mutual consent as the basis for marriage. The bill, which replaces a framework that allowed girls as young as 15 to marry with judicial approval, marks a significant step in protecting children—especially girls—from early and forced marriages. While the law awaits enactment by the president, rights groups have welcomed the change as a milestone in advancing gender equality and safeguarding children’s rights. However, they have also called for further reforms to address the root causes of child marriage and to ensure broader human rights protections across the code.

Sources: le Faso, Amnesty International, Jeune Afrique, Girls Not Bride

On 22 September, the military governments of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger jointly announced their immediate withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), calling it an ‘instrument of neo-colonial repression’. While the withdrawal will only take legal effect after one year, human rights groups warn the move significantly weakens access to justice, especially as credible domestic mechanisms for investigating atrocity crimes are lacking. The announcement follows a series of joint withdrawals by the three countries, including their coordinated exits the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in January 2025. ICC investigations into alleged war crimes in Mali are ongoing, and victims’ groups in Burkina Faso and Mali have recently filed complaints implicating national armies and foreign mercenaries in serious abuses. The three governments say they will instead pursue ‘indigenous mechanisms’ for justice, though observers say such systems do not yet exist in practice, raising concerns of rising impunity.

Sources: Bèki Takè, British Broadcasting Corporation, Human Rights Watch, United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner, Radio France Internationale, International Federation for Human Rights

On 16 July, Burkina Faso’s transitional government passed a law to dissolve the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), which has overseen elections since 2001. The junta cited high costs and alleged foreign influence as justification for the move, with electoral responsibilities now transferred to the Ministry of Territorial Administration. The decision follows the military’s 2024 extension of the transition period until July 2029, allowing transitional president, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, to remain in power and contest future elections. Critics argue the dissolution undermines electoral independence and consolidates executive control over the electoral process. 

Sources: Jeune Afrique, British Broadcasting Corporation (1), British Broadcasting Corporation (2), The Associated Press, Africa News, France 24

Between 10 and 11 March, Burkina Faso’s security forces and allied militias allegedly killed dozens of civilians, mostly ethnic Fulani, during operations around the city of Solenzo. Some reports suggest the toll may be in the hundreds. According to multiple sources, the attacks targeted displaced Fulani in apparent retaliation for jihadist assaults days earlier. Witnesses reported executions, mostly targeting women, children and the elderly. Authorities have long accused the Fulani of harbouring jihadists, who recruit among them by exploiting grievances over state neglect and resources. The government denied responsibility, claiming jihadists used civilians as human shields. Civil society groups have called for an independent investigation. In the wake of online threats targeting the Fulani, the Ouagadougou prosecutor launched a probe on 20 March into calls to exterminate an unnamed ethnic group. The omission of the Fulani name suggests an effort to downplay the ethnic dimension of the threats.

Sources: Ministère de la Communication, de la Culture, des Arts et du Tourisme – Burkina Faso, Human Rights Watch, Barron’s, International Crisis Group, Jeune Afrique (1), Jeune Afrique (2)

On 30 December, Burkina Faso's Transitional Legislative Assembly adopted a law granting amnesty for individuals convicted of participating in the failed coup attempt of 15 and 16 September 2015. To be eligible for the amnesty, the law requires applicants to acknowledge their involvement in the coup attempt and to demonstrate commitment to national defense efforts, good conduct during detention, and a willingness to be deployed in military operations. Analysts suggest that the amnesty aims to leverage the military and diplomatic expertise of figures like General Gilbert Diendéré and Djibril Bassolé in the fight against militant groups linked to Islamic State and al-Qaeda. However, critics argue that this move undermines accountability and the rule of law in the country, potentially entrenching impunity and weakening governance institutions.

Update: On 31 March 2025, President Ibrahim Traoré granted amnesty to 21 soldiers convicted for their roles in the 2015 coup attempt. The pardon requires recipients to support anti-terrorism efforts, though key figures Diendéré and Bassolé were excluded.

Sources: Voice of America, Radio France Internationale, Le360 Afrique, LeFaso.net, Transitional Legislative Assembly – Burkina Faso, Jeune Afrique