Title: Burkina Faso: The case of Larissa Nikiema, traditional healer, fuels political tensions
Introduction :
In Burkina Faso, a case involving Larissa Nikiema, a traditional healer, sparked strong reactions and heightened political tensions in the country. While the latter had been removed from legal proceedings by the military on the orders of the Minister of Justice, the magistrates reacted by ceasing their work in all jurisdictions. Finally, Larissa Nikiema will be imprisoned again, but this time in the house of arrest and correction of the armies. This case highlights the issues of security and justice in Burkina Faso.
The background of the case:
Larissa Nikiema, a traditional healer, was charged with forcible confinement, assault and battery, as well as complicity. However, during legal proceedings, she was suddenly released by soldiers acting on the orders of the Minister of Justice, to the chagrin of the magistrates who demanded her return to prison. This military intervention created tension between prison security guards and other defense and security forces.
Reasons for re-incarceration:
Larissa Nikiema’s lawyers pleaded for her return to prison, citing security concerns. They feared that their client would be the victim of reprisals following the conflict between the prison security guards and the other defense and security forces which had hindered the execution of the arrest warrant. They also underlined the risks of insecurity that his detention in the Ouagadougou remand center represented for the other detainees. The government finally authorized his detention in the house of arrest and correction of the armies, in accordance with the texts in force.
Reactions and political issues:
This affair provoked strong reactions in the country, in particular from the magistrates who decided to stop their work in sign of protest against the intervention of the soldiers. They demanded respect for the independence of justice and the return of Larissa Nikiema to the jails of the Ouagadougou remand center. Moreover, this case has rekindled existing political tensions, highlighting concerns about security, the independence of the judiciary and respect for the rule of law in Burkina Faso.
Conclusion :
The case of Larissa Nikiema, a traditional healer imprisoned in Burkina Faso, has shaken the country and heightened political tensions. The subtraction of the latter from legal proceedings by the military aroused the anger of the magistrates and highlighted the issues of security and justice in the country. Finally, Larissa Nikiema will return to prison, but this time to the house of arrest and correction of the armies. This case recalls the importance of respecting the independence of justice and strengthening the rule of law to guarantee stability and justice in Burkina Faso