Should the government of Burkina Faso allow ex-president in exile Blaise Compaoré to return to the country?

Since Blaise Compaoré has been in exile in Ivory Coast it is not so much a political power vacuum that he has left in his wake but militant instability, with a long underfunded military that enabled him to retain power now struggling with deal with numerous terror attacks. But many believe, including Compaoré himself, that he could be useful in dealing with this issue, as he had ways and means of dealing with militant groups and has mediated successfully in regional issues a dozen times. Meanwhile the interim government refuses to negotiate with armed groups, and terror attacks remain frequent as the transition of power continues. Allowing Blaise Compaoré to return to Burkina Faso could allow him to make up the damage he has done to the country, he can help try to aid a smooth stable transition of power while maintaining regional stability with tribal groups, Burkina Faso’s stability is important in this highly troubled region of Africa.

crisisgroup.org/africa/west-africa/burkina-faso/burkina-faso-or-without-compaore-times-uncertainty blaisecompaore.com/en/foreign-policies france24.com/en/20191012-16-killed-in-burkina-faso-mosque-attack-security-sources bbc.com/news/world-africa-50028315

Former President now in exile Blaise Compaoré should go back to Burkina Faso and face charges for his crimes of corruption andstate sponsored violence against the Burkinabé people. Sectarian attacks, inter-ethnic violence, as well as sponsoring the overthrow of powerful neighbours in the region, while corruptly amassing a personal fortune at the expense of the country, are just a few of the atrocities the former president needs to answer for. Currently Sierra Leonean war victims seek prosecution for Compaoré’s support of Charles Taylor’s regime, while an international arrest warrant has been put out for his part in the killing of former president Thomas Sankara as part of the 1987 coup which brought Compaoré to power. He should be returned to stand trial, so justice can be sought for his victims and his country.

globeafrique.com/president-sirleaf-compaore-to-face-intl-law-suit-from-sierra-leone-war-victims foreignpolicy.com/2014/11/05/the-fiery-fall-of-burkina-fasos-beautiful-blaise

In 2014 Blaise Compaoré was removed from power in a popular uprising that led to the burning down of government buildings including the National Assembly. This uprising was in direct response to Compaoré attempting to change the constitution for a second time in order to extend his already 27 year rule over the country. Compaoré did not face this massive popular backlash to his usurpation of power in Burkina Faso and instead fled to neighbouring Côte d'Ivoire, it would be dangerous to let such a politician return to the still unstable social and political environment in the country, as he would probably attempt to bypass democracy once again.

dandc.eu/en/article/burkinabe-youth-united-end-rule-president-blaise-compaore