The three judicial unions in Burkina Faso issued a statement in Ouagadougou rejecting the recent reform of the Supreme Judicial Council, opting not to participate in the selection of its new members.
In December 2023, the Supreme Judicial Council underwent a reform process without consulting the judicial unions SAMAB, SBM, and SMB. In response, the unions have adopted a strategy of non-participation. An assembly was convened on Saturday, June 29th, to elect the council members, but the inter-union called for a boycott of the electoral colleges.
According to the inter-union, out of 647 magistrates eligible to vote, only 53 participated in the elections for representatives. This significant abstention was intended to send an unequivocal message. The inter-union condemns the reform, arguing that it undermines judicial independence. The new reform stipulates that prosecutors will now be appointed by the Supreme Judicial Council based on recommendations from the Minister of Justice.
The inter-union has labeled the ministry’s strategy as unhealthy, predicting strained relations between the judiciary and the Ministry of Justice. Conversely, the Ministry of Justice reported that the elections proceeded “without major incident,” reflecting a differing perspective on the events.
This conflict highlights deep-seated concerns about judicial independence and the potential implications of the reform on the balance of power within Burkina Faso’s judicial system.