Burkina Faso political review

Although freedom of the press has become a reality in Burkina Fasso, it has taken years of struggle. Now there is now a virtually satirical press. The 1998 murder of journalist Norbert Zongo, in which there were strong suspicions against the brother of President Blaise Compaoré, has however still not been resolved. Reporters Without Borders in a meeting with the magistrate in the case, Wenceslas Ilboudo, in September 2005 were informed that, despite his efforts, the key witnesses in the case were refusing to talk. One of the most important suspects, a former sergeant in the presidential guard, Marcel Kafando, although sick and sentenced for the murder which Norbert Zongo was investigating when he was killed, lives peacefully at his home in Ouagadougou.

This state of affairs did not however prevent President Blaise Compaoré from being comfortably re-elected in the last elections.

Culled form Reporters Without Borders.