Sentenced to life imprisonment, the thorny question of Blaise Compaoré's return to Burkina Faso

Blaise Compaoré, the former Burkinabè head of state, went into exile in Côte d'Ivoire in 2014 after 27 years of reign.

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Sentenced to life imprisonment by the Ouagadougou military court for his role in the assassination of Thomas Sankara 34 years ago, Blaise Compaoré has been exiled in Côte d'Ivoire for several years.

He has never rested a foot in Burkina Faso since, even if his return was the subject of negotiations.

And after this verdict, his return is more than ever compromised.

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With our correspondent in Abidjan

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Since his fall in 2014, Blaise Compaoré has lived in Côte d'Ivoire with his Ivorian wife, Chantal Compaoré, and under the protection of Alassane Ouattara who granted him Ivorian nationality.

At 71,

lives recluse between his residences in the wealthy district of Cocody-Ambassades and the seaside resort of Assinie.

His health is deteriorating and he has been traveling regularly for several years for medical stays abroad.

The former president of Burkina Faso never returned to his country.

In 2019, Blaise Compaoré however expresses the wish to return there.

Discussions then began between Abidjan and Ouagadougou for several months.

A villa in Ouaga 2000 has even been renovated to accommodate it.

But in 2021, the situation changes.

Blaise Compaoré is summoned to appear at the trial for the assassination of Thomas Sankara.

A trial described 

" and experienced as a humiliation by the entourage of the former Burkinabe president who does not go there.

Côte d'Ivoire refuses to extradite him.

Is a return to Burkina still possible?

However, a way out for a return of the former head of state is then still possible

, through a possible pardon or amnesty as part of a process of reconciliation.

At the beginning of 2022, the regime of Roch Marc Christian Kaboré was deposed by soldiers.

Three weeks later,

Alassane Ouattara, seems to remain confident about a possible return of Blaise Compaoré to his country:

", estimated last February the Ivorian president.

Today, does such a strong verdict bury the possibility of a return of Blaise Compaoré to Burkina?

What are the intentions of the Burkinabe junta in this case?

Mystery.

But should we see a sign there, a month ago, Colonel-President Paul Henri Damiba appointed

, a former minister of Blaise Compaoré, to the Ministry of Reconciliation.

► To read also: Trial of the assassination of Sankara: a verdict variously appreciated

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• Ivory Coast

• Burkina Faso

• Blaise Compaore

• Thomas Sankara