Burkina Faso: 20 Years of CIMDH and High Council of the Judiciary Strengthen Human Rights and Justice

Ouagadougou, December 15, 2025 - Burkina Faso marked the 20th anniversary of the Interministerial Committee on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CIMDH), launching a series of commemorative activities from December 15 to 18, 2025. The ceremony, held under the high patronage of the Minister of Justice and Human Rights, underscores the committee’s role as a strategic framework for coordinating government action on human rights and international humanitarian law since its creation in 2005.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister, Seidou Ouédraogo emphasized that this milestone goes beyond symbolism. Under the theme, “CIMDH: What reforms are necessary for an endogenous appropriation of human rights values and international humanitarian law?”, he called for reforms to strengthen the institution, bring human rights closer to citizens, and integrate them into Burkina Faso’s cultural and social realities.

The commemoration program includes conferences, roundtables, a documentary exhibition, reforestation initiatives, donation distributions for injured personnel, and civic and sporting activities, reflecting a commitment to public engagement and human dignity. Professor Alkassoum Maïga moderated the inaugural conference, setting the stage for discussions on adapting CIMDH to the context of the progressive popular revolution.

Justice and Judicial Sovereignty: Customary Law in Focus

On the same day, President Captain Ibrahim Traoré, Guarantor of Judicial Independence, chaired the first statutory meeting of 2025 of the High Council of the Judiciary (CSM). The session emphasized the importance of justice as a pillar of the Republic amid ongoing reforms, security challenges, and geopolitical upheavals.

The Council examined two key reports: one on the performance evaluation of lower courts to enhance efficiency, and another on “Traditional Justice in Building a Judicial System for the People: The Contribution of Customary Law”, highlighting the need to strengthen local conflict resolution mechanisms.

Following Burkina Faso’s withdrawal from the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), the CSM announced the suspension of its participation in Francophone judicial networks, citing institutional coherence and sovereignty.

President Ouédraogo presented the Council’s annual activity report, reaffirming the judiciary’s commitment to an independent, effective, and nationally grounded justice system, aligned with the principles of the progressive popular revolution.

This dual initiative reflects Burkina Faso’s determination to consolidate human rights, judicial sovereignty, and citizen-centered governance.