Burkina Faso: The people of Burkina Faso came out en masse in Ouagadougou, following the call for Burkina Faso to withdraw from the ICC
Thousands of people gathered on this friday, June 7th, in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, in front of the United Nations offices. They were protesting a UN report released at the end of May, accusing the Burkinabe army of civilian killings.
This demonstration marks the beginning of a series of mobilizations that will culminate in a large-scale popular movement, demanding Burkina Faso’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The growing outrage over the repeated UN accusations against the Burkinabe armed forces has sparked this initiative.
The demonstrators aim to defend national sovereignty and protect the integrity of the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration (MPSR) and President Ibrahim Traoré.
The UN report, which accuses the Burkinabe army of serious abuses, was the last straw for many Burkinabe citizens.
They believe these accusations undermine their armed forces, which are engaged in a complex battle against terrorism and regional instability.
The public anger has quickly turned towards the ICC, seen by many not as an instrument of justice but as a tool of post-colonial domination.
The perception of the ICC in Africa has often been fraught with controversy. Many view this institution, which is supposed to be impartial, as being used by powerful nations to intimidate and discredit African leaders and governments that dare to challenge their interests.
This view has been reinforced over the years as African political figures have been targeted by the ICC, while crimes committed by Western powers seem to go unpunished.
The June 7th mobilization could be a game-changer for Burkina Faso. A withdrawal from the ICC would send a strong message to the international community, asserting the country’s determination to defend its sovereignty and manage its own affairs without external interference.
This reflects a growing sense of distrust towards international institutions perceived as biased.
Olivier TOE
