Burkina Faso sentences 12 over Solenzo chief’s assassination
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Netafrique
The criminal chamber of the Dédougou High Court has sentenced 12 people to terms ranging from 12 months to life imprisonment for the assassination of Dibissan Coulibaly, chief of Solenzo canton. The verdict, delivered on 11 November 2026 after three days of hearings, includes 75 million CFA francs in joint compensation for the rights holders, according to Netafrique.
Twelve of the 20 people tried over the assassination of Dibissan Coulibaly, chief of Solenzo canton, were found guilty by the criminal chamber of the Dédougou High Court. The court, which delivered its ruling on Wednesday 11 November in Solenzo after three days of hearings, handed down sentences ranging from 12 months’ imprisonment to life imprisonment, reports Netafrique.
The convicted people were also ordered to jointly pay 75 million CFA francs to the rights holders of Dibissan Coulibaly as compensation for the damage suffered. They were also fined 600,000 CFA francs, for offences including participation in an unlawful demonstration, aggravated wilful destruction of property and murder, according to Netafrique.
The court also acquitted six people for offences not established and two others on charges related to participation in an unlawful demonstration. The trial was held on 9, 10 and 11 November in the Sofitex meeting room in Solenzo, where the criminal chamber of the Dédougou court had been relocated.
The verdict follows the deployment of a large security operation by the Defence and Security Forces to protect the judges, defendants and public during the hearings. The proceedings follow the murder of Dibissan Coulibaly, whose trial was held in Solenzo, reports Netafrique.
