Burkina Faso: former damiba security chief sentenced to 11 years for arson

A new legal development has unfolded in Burkina Faso. The High Court of Ouagadougou, in a session on Friday, June 5, handed down an 11-year prison sentence to Captain Abdoul Kader Zanré, who previously served as the chief of security for former Transition President Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba. Five years of this term are to be served firmly.

The officer was found guilty of complicity in the deliberate destruction of private property by arson and of endangering human life. These charges relate to the incident involving the burning of a vehicle belonging to Imhotep Bayala, the coordinator of the “Deux Heures pour Nous, Deux Heures pour Kamita” movement.

Prison sentence and arrest warrant issued

Beyond the jail term, the court also imposed a substantial fine of two million CFA francs and issued an arrest warrant for Captain Zanré. Three other individuals implicated in the case were also convicted, each receiving a five-year suspended prison sentence and a two-million CFA franc fine.

Over 12 million CFA francs in damages

On the civil aspect of the case, the court ruled in favor of the plaintiff. The convicted parties are collectively obligated to pay 12.7 million CFA francs to Imhotep Bayala as compensation for the damages incurred.

This particular case has attracted considerable attention across Burkina Faso, largely due to the high-profile nature of the accused individuals and the broader implications for African politics and the nation’s political landscape.

Damiba’s legal challenges continue to draw attention

This judicial decision comes at a time when Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, the former leader of the Transition, remains embroiled in several other legal proceedings. Reports indicate that he was recently extradited from Lomé back to Ouagadougou. Authorities have notably accused him of an alleged assassination attempt targeting the current President of the Transition, Ibrahim Traoré.