The Reconciliation Commission in charge of the investigation was officially put in place on March 13, 2015.
Archbishop Philippe Ouédraogo of Bobo-Dioulasso since Friday, March 13, 2015 has the daunting task to lead the Reconciliation Commission whose mission is to probe into economic and bloody crimes committed during the 27-year reign of former President, Blaise Compaoré and set the base for a veritable democratic society, Voice of America reported.
The 36-member commission was officially put in place on March 13, 2015. In the text creating the Commission, government stated that it is to create favourable conditions and an enabling framework for the manifestation of truth, justice, forgiveness and national reconciliation, as well as establish the base of a veritable democratic society.
Speaking after their commissioning ceremony, the Commission’s chairperson, Archbishop Philippe Ouédraogo reportedly said that it will not replace the courts and will not pass judgments, stating that judicial structures will do their work. Among the crimes to be investigated are the 30 people who died in the anti-Compaoré uprising that led to his ousting in October 30, 2014 and the files concerning the assassination of former President Thomas Sankara in 1987 that brought Blaise Compaoré to power. The Commission will also investigate the assassination of the journalist Norbert Zongo in 1998 and the death of Compaoré’s driver. Besides assassination crimes, the Philippe Ouédraogo Commission will also investigate the issue of the Presidential Security Regiment that was one of the key pillars of Compaoré’s repressive regime and whose dissolution is currently demanded by civil society organizations. Reports say that the army that has been vehemently opposed to the creation of the Reconciliation Commission has finally accepted the idea. The Commission is an integral part of the transition government of President Michel Kafando whose term of office will end with the organization of presidential and legislative elections in October 2015.
