Partial view of the courthouse in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Photo: Lamine Traore (VOA)
Here are some major events that marked the week:
1. Burkina: outcome of the trial of the assassins of Thomas Sankara
The verdict in the assassination trial of former pan-African leader Thomas Sankara after 35 years was a historic day. In Burkina Faso, the three main defendants of the assassination of Thomas Sankara, including former head of state Blaise Compaoré, were sentenced on Wednesday April 6 to life imprisonment.
This is former President Blaise Compaoré, a refugee in Côte d’Ivoire and tried in absentia by General Gilbert Diendéré and Hyacinthe Kafando. The other defendants receive sentences ranging from 3 to 20 years. There are also acquittals. This is the epilogue of a case that lasted 35 years. From Ouagadougou our correspondent Lamine Traoré.
Our correspondent in Ouagadougou, Lamine Traoré also collected reactions to this decision of the Burkinabè justice.
The family of the father of the Burkinabe revolution says they are relieved. Abdourahmane Dia received the reaction of Paul Sankara, younger brother of Thomas Sankara, who lives in Washington.
Maître Pierre Olivier Sur, the lawyer for former Burkinabé president Blaise Compaore said his client’s life sentence was not a surprise. He denounced a sentence handed down by an unfair court at the microphone of Mohamadou Houmfa who joined him in Paris, France.
2. Rwanda: Paul Rusesabagina Condemned
Another judgment shook the continent, even the world, when the Rwandan Court of Appeal confirmed, on April 4, the 25-year prison sentence for “terrorism” of opponent Paul Rusesabagina, made famous by the movie “Hotel Rwanda”. The court rejected the prosecution’s appeal for a heavier sentence.
3. Resumption of fighting in the DRC
On the same day, in the DRC, fighting between the Congolese army and the M23 rebel movement had resumed in the province of North Kivu, in the territory of Rutshuru, in eastern DRC, after a week of calm. Congolese troops claimed to have recovered several positions occupied by the rebels.
4. Chad: Wakit Tama suspends “all negotiations” with the junta
In Chad, the main civil society and opposition platform announced yesterday that it was suspending “all negotiations” with the ruling junta and its government. This withdrawal comes one month before a major national dialogue planned with the opposition and armed groups. The details with Eric Manirakiza.
5. Internet spatial
Another piece of information that made an impression concerns the American online sales giant, Amazon, which is diversifying into computer services, announced contracts with three space launch companies for 83 firings to put thousands of satellites into orbit. to high-speed internet. Nathalie Barge.
For a few years now, the Internet no longer only passes through submarine cables. Indeed, it is now towards space that operators are turning to connect the planet.
But for Qemal Affognon of the organization Internet Without Borders, this conquest of space raises concerns such as the risk of monopoly of the great fortunes on the data exchanged in the world. Arzouma Kompaoré joined him in Cotonou.
This is the end of this retrospective of the week. Have a great weekend everyone!