Burkina Faso/ Constitutional review: ALT strongly supports the project with 64 out of 70 votes in favour

During a plenary session dedicated to the constitutional revision bill in Burkina Faso last weekend, 64 out of 70 members of the Transitional Legislative Assembly (ALT) expressed their support for the constitutional revision bill in Burkina Faso on Saturday, December 30, 2023, in Ouagadougou.

Following the vote count, the result consisted of 64 favorable votes, 5 abstentions, and 1 vote against, demonstrating strong consensus among ALT members. The Minister of Justice, Edasso Rodrigue Bayala, emphasized that this massive support demonstrates the relevance of the reforms proposed by the government.

Indeed, the bill presents several innovations, including the constitutionalization of the National Intelligence Agency (ANR), which will be renamed the State Security Council. According to Bayala, this transformation aims to strengthen the effectiveness of the ANR in the fight against terrorism and ensure the stability of the Republic’s institutions.

In the judicial field, the project provides for the creation of the Superior Council of the Judiciary, bringing together magistrates and non-magistrates. Another reform concerns the public prosecutor’s office, allowing the implementation of the government’s criminal policy through public prosecutors.

After its adoption by the ALT, the bill will be submitted to the Constitutional Council for verification of the regularity of the procedure and the conformity of the provisions before being transmitted to the transitional president for promulgation, explained Minister Bayala.

Sadia Nyaoré