Burkina Faso’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore, has pardoned 21 soldiers convicted for their roles in the failed 2015 coup attempt.
This move comes after Traore announced an “amnesty pardon” in December last year for those involved in the coup.
The pardoned soldiers include six officers and 15 non-commissioned officers and rank-and-file soldiers. They were convicted in 2019 for “harming state security,” murder, or treason.
However, two generals considered the masterminds behind the coup, Gilbert Diendere and Djibril Bassole, were not included in the amnesty.
To receive a pardon, the convicted soldiers must demonstrate a commitment to fighting terrorism and express willingness to participate in the reconquest of the territory.
They will rejoin the army but will not be eligible for compensation or career progression.
This development is part of a broader effort to address the country’s past political crises. In December, the justice ministry announced that around 1,200 people convicted in connection with the coup attempt would be pardoned from January 1.
