OUAGADOUGOU—Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets of Ouagadougou on Thursday, calling for a comprehensive reform of Burkina Faso’s justice system to better align with the “deep aspirations” of the people. The protest was organized by Citizen Watch, a civic group advocating for changes in the country’s judicial processes.

According to Burkina Information Agency, there is a significant disconnect between the decisions made by the Burkinabè justice system and the socio-cultural realities of the nation. One demonstrator stated that the people do not feel involved in the judicial process and that the decisions made by magistrates often seem out of touch with the country’s current state, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict. “The country is at war, while magistrates believe that this is not the case. We have the impression that we do not live in the same country,” another protester remarked.

The demonstrators emphasized the importance of integrity among magistrates, urging those in the judiciary to ensure that the reputation of the institution is upheld. While expressing their support for Head of State Captain Ibrahim Traoré, they also called on justice actors to contribute to the nation’s efforts to restore territorial integrity.

As part of the demonstration, the protestors submitted a platform of demands to the justice authorities. The protest comes just days after the magistrates’ inter-union criticized the government’s decision to requisition magistrates for frontline duties.