Burkina Faso is demanding clear answers following the death of popular influencer Alain Traoré, widely known as Alino Faso, while being held in detention in Ivory Coast.
On July 29, 2025, hundreds of people dressed in white filled the streets of Ouagadougou, calling for justice for Traoré, who was discovered dead in his prison cell in Abidjan on July 24.
Ivorian officials say he died by suicide, but Traoré’s supporters and Burkinabè authorities are insisting on an independent investigation, to know the true cause of his death, due to doubt on the ivorian official’s feedback.
The 32 year old social media activist had been in custody since January 2025, facing accusations of conspiring with foreign agents and plotting against the state, allegations many believe were politically driven against the activist.
The demonstrators began from the Thomas Sankara Memorial down to the Ivorian Embassy, rejecting the official cause of death and demanding full transparency and justice to know what really happened to the late activist.
The government of Burkina Faso has strongly denounced the incident and is pushing for a joint probe to uncover what truly happened, inorder to maintain peace and order.
Protesters are also demanding accountability from Ivorian authorities, with some calling for the resignation of President Alassane Ouattara over what they say is growing repression, causing turmoil in the country.
Burkina Faso’s Minister of Communication has vowed that Traoré’s death will not be swept under the rug, and appropriate investigation and justice will be served but pressure is mounting for a comprehensive and credible investigation.
The case threatens to worsen ties between the two West African nations, as human rights organizations continue to press for an unbiased inquiry, fighting for justice.Meanwhile, Traoré’s family and supporters are still awaiting the return of his body, and the truth.
