The former president of Burkina Faso has been charged with murder. Campaore deposed the revolutionary Pan-Africanist leader Thomas Sankara in 1987. Campaore would remain in power until 2014, when he was removed by a mass uprising. Since then, he has lived in exile. Sources claim Blaise Compaore remains in Ivory Coast. There some indications that he wanted to make a return to the country. The country has in recent years undergone turbulence from insurgencies and terrorist organizations. The charges are complicity in the murder and undermining state security. Campaore was most likely more involved in the assassination than previously thought. The former president denies the charges and if he does return will fight them in court. Ivory Coast will not extradite him. Former authoritarian leaders have in the past avoided punishment for crimes in the past, However, some have convicted. Hissene Habre of Chad was arrested in 2016. Blaise Campaore may be able to escape trial or prison. He has the benefit of protection. Unlike the ICC, which has questionable legitimacy this tribunal is the product of Africans. If Burkina Faso is to punish leaders it should be done under their legal system, not an international one. Blaise Campaore although out of power still has relevance in the politics of Burkina Faso. His trial will allow for a tragic chapter in Burkina Faso's history to be closed.
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