The prosecutor’s office in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, has launched an investigation into the murder of a former government minister, whose body was discovered in her home on January 10, 2026, authorities confirmed. The victim, Viviane Yolande Compaoré Ouédraogo, served in key ministerial roles under the late President Blaise Compaoré, including as Minister of Transport and Tourism, and later as Minister of Regional Integration.
Police found Compaoré’s lifeless body in her residence in the Karpala neighbourhood of the capital, prompting immediate criminal proceedings by the Ouaga II High Court prosecutor. Initial findings indicate that the former minister was attacked and killed inside her home, with forensic and investigative teams combing the scene for evidence and possible leads. Prosecutors have appealed to the public for witness information that could aid identification and apprehension of the perpetrators and any accomplices. The appeal underscores the seriousness with which authorities view the slaying and the priority placed on ensuring accountability for the crime.
Compaoré was a prominent figure in Burkina Faso’s political landscape, holding influential positions during the Compaoré era and later serving as chair of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee. Her assassination adds to concerns about political violence in a country that has seen persistent instability since a military transition began in late 2022.
