Côte d’Ivoire: Six people sentenced to life imprisonment in Kafolo attack trial

The anti-terrorism division of the Abidjan court on Monday, April 27, sentenced six individuals to life imprisonment for terrorist acts, and 17 others to 20 years in prison, in the trial related to the attack on a checkpoint in Kafolo in June 2020. After the Grand-Bassam attack trial, this was the second major terrorism-related case judged in Côte d’Ivoire.

The announcement of the verdict marked the end of a long judicial process. The courtroom was packed, with additional seating brought in to accommodate the 45 defendants charged mainly with “terrorist acts”.

For six of them, the verdict was particularly severe: considered “combatants and direct perpetrators of the Kafolo attack,” they were sentenced to life imprisonment. The judges even went beyond the prosecution’s request, which had sought life sentences for only five defendants.

Seventeen others received 20-year prison sentences for “participation in a terrorist conspiracy aimed at committing terrorist acts,” meaning they provided logistical support to the attackers. “This is a symbolic decision that demonstrates the strong determination of the Ivorian state to effectively combat this scourge,” said Me Abdoulaye Ben Meïté, lawyer for the civil parties.

Finally, 21 other defendants were acquitted, to the satisfaction of one of their court-appointed lawyers, Me Mohamed Lamine Koné, who stated that “many people found themselves in this trial due to unfortunate circumstances.”

A trial symbolizing “the resilience of the rule of law”

On the night of June 10–11, 2020, a group of 30 armed men from Burkina Faso attacked the Ivorian checkpoint in Kafolo, killing 14 soldiers. The assault was claimed by the Katiba Macina group, affiliated with al-Qaeda. At the time, around 100 suspects were arrested.

Forty-five of them were ultimately tried. The trial, which lasted more than a year, required significant security arrangements, including courtroom protection, transport of defendants, and logistical support. An interpreter speaking Fulani was also required for parts of the proceedings.

During the trial, two defendants confessed: Ali Sidibé, known as “Sofiane,” and Hassane Diallo. According to the prosecution, this trial symbolizes “the resilience of the rule of law” and “the memory of the defense and security forces who fell that day.”

The convicted individuals have 20 days to appeal.