The Ministry of Justice in Burkina Faso recently held a two-day meeting in Koudougou, bringing together prosecutors general and penal prosecution authorities. The event, which took place on November 9 and 10, 2026, aimed to analyze the state of penal fine recovery, share best practices, and define strategies for improving performance. The meeting was led by Minister of Justice Edasso Rodrigue Bayala, who emphasized the need for effective implementation of judicial reforms.
The meeting focused on the theme "Reforms in Penal Justice: State of Affairs, Challenges, and Perspectives." Discussions centered on strengthening coherence, efficiency, and uniformity in the actions of public prosecutors in implementing penal justice reforms. This included reviewing the implementation of alternative measures to prosecution, fine recovery, and defining operational guidelines. Minister Bayala stressed that the Revolution for Popular Progress imposes a permanent duty on all individuals, particularly in the justice sector, to strive for effectiveness and impact.
According to Minister Bayala, several reforms have been introduced to reform the justice system, including the adoption of a new penal procedure code, a code for persons and the family, and a new law on judicial organization. He noted that these reforms will only have the desired impact if they are effectively applied by justice officials. The minister highlighted the importance of the public prosecutor's role in ensuring the effectiveness of public action.
The reforms have yielded significant results, with over 8,000 cases judged in 55 days, compared to an annual average of 7,000 cases. Additionally, more than 700 criminal cases were judged by September 30, 2026, against an annual average of 88 cases. Minister Bayala also reported that fine recovery has been impressive, with over 2.3 billion F CFA recovered by September 30, 2026, and over 362 million F CFA recovered in October alone.
Minister Bayala expressed satisfaction with the progress made but acknowledged that disparities exist between tribunals, and some reluctance needs to be overcome. He urged prosecutors general and Faso prosecutors to take ownership of the effectiveness of public action and be committed actors in the transformation of the judicial system. The minister emphasized that they are no longer just case managers but are now expected to play a more proactive role.
Désiré Sawadogo, Prosecutor General near the Ouagadougou Court of Appeal, noted that this annual meeting, now in its second year, provides an opportunity for the judicial community to consider major innovations in new texts voted to improve performance. The meeting allows for discussions on how to implement these reforms effectively and address challenges in the justice system.
The meeting demonstrated the government's commitment to improving the justice system in Burkina Faso. With a focus on effective implementation of reforms, the officials aim to enhance the performance and impact of the justice system. Key outcomes from the meeting are expected to be implemented to achieve the desired change and improve the delivery of justice services to the population.
Key points
- The meeting aimed to analyze the state of penal fine recovery, share best practices, and define strategies for improving performance in the justice system.
- Over 8,000 cases were judged in 55 days, and more than 2.3 billion F CFA were recovered in fine revenue by September 30, 2026.
- The officials emphasized the need for effective implementation of judicial reforms to achieve the desired impact and change in the justice system.
