Burkina Faso’s Superior Council of the Judiciary Honors Retiring ‘Special’ Magistrates

Ouagadougou – The Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSM) in Burkina Faso has celebrated the retirement of twelve exceptional magistrates, highlighting their careers as exemplary for the younger generation in the legal profession.

According to Burkina Information Agency, During a tribute ceremony in Ouagadougou, the President of the CSM, Jean Mazobé Kondé, commended the retiring magistrates, describing the 2023 cohort as particularly noteworthy. According to Kondé, these magistrates began their careers during a tumultuous period, known as the Revolution, when the judicial system underwent significant changes, moving from classic to popular justice.

The ceremony, held on Friday and organized by the CSM for the third time, honored the twelve magistrates for their nearly four decades of service. Kondé noted that the retirees had experienced various political upheavals that shaped the justice system in Burkina Faso. He commended them for adapting to these changes and reaching retirement while holding high-level political, administrative, and diplomatic positions both nationally and internationally.

Kondé emphasized that the guiding principles of these magistrates’ careers included good morality, professional conscience, independence, neutrality, impartiality, and rigor. He expressed his hope that the values and experiences of these seasoned magistrates would continue to inspire and guide younger jurists in the judiciary.

Representing the retirees, Sawadogo/Tapsoba Salamata spoke about the essence of a judge’s role in making decisions without expecting accolades. She stressed the importance of stating the law with complete commitment and conscience, a practice they adhered to during their tenure. Sawadogo also reflected on the transition to life after retirement, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter outside the courtroom.

The event served as both a commemoration of the retiring magistrates’ contributions and a call to the upcoming generation of legal professionals to uphold the high standards set by their predecessors.