A life sentence for the former president of Burkina Faso

After a trial that has lasted since October 2021, the former president of Burkina Faso, Blaise Compaore, was found guilty on Wednesday in the capital Ouagadougou, and sentenced to life in prison for his complicity in the killing of his predecessor, Thomas Sankara. Compaore has lived in exile since 2014 and is unlikely to serve any of that term, but as we hear from host Marco Werman, the verdict and sentence were a relief to many in Burkina Faso.

Do you support journalism that strengthens our democracy?

At The World, we believe strongly that human-centered journalism is at the heart of an informed public and a strong democracy. We see democracy and journalism as two sides of the same coin. If you care about one, it is imperative to care about the other.

Every day, our nonprofit newsroom seeks to inform and empower listeners and hold the powerful accountable. Neither would be possible without the support of listeners like you. If you believe in our work, will you give today? We need your help now more than ever!