Ivory Coast: Death of ALINO Faso, one spark too many in the diplomatic powder keg between Ouagadougou and Abidjan?
The suspicious death of Burkinabe activist ALINO Faso, which occurred while in detention in Abidjan, could reignite already tense relations between Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire. With no credible explanation—and a suicide theory that fails to convince public opinion—the case is increasingly seen as a disguised assassination, fueling suspicions of a political settling of scores aimed at silencing a troublesome voice.
Since Captain Ibrahim Traoré came to power in Ouagadougou, bilateral relations have deteriorated amid ideological differences and security-related disputes.
The ALINO Faso affair could lead to a deeper rupture in diplomatic ties, especially given an already fragile diplomatic context. The case may further hinder cooperation on regional security, counterterrorism efforts, and the management of migration flows. More importantly, it risks fueling nationalist rhetoric and entrenching long-term distrust between the two governments.
Much will now depend on the position that Ouagadougou chooses to adopt—especially since Ivorian authorities did not even inform Burkina Faso of the tragic death of one of its citizens. However, a public condemnation or a call for mediation could reshape the dynamics between the two countries, with consequences extending far beyond the borders of Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso.
