Editing Norbert Zongo (section)

== Disappearance and murder ==
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In December 1997, a suspicious disappearance and possible murder of David Ouedraogo, the driver of [[François Compaoré]] (President Blaise Campaoré's brother), prompted Zongo to investigate. Ouedrago was tortured and killed for allegedly stealing large sums of money.{{sfn|Soré|2008}}<ref name=thepatrioticvanguard>{{cite web|url=http://www.thepatrioticvanguard.com/arusha-public-hearing-on-the-norbert-zongo-and-others-case|title=Arusha: Public Hearing on the Norbert Zongo and Others Case|author=The Patriotic Vanguard|work=The Patriotic Vanguard|date=5 December 2013}}</ref> Zongo reported the case and wrote small excerpts every week for his newspaper. He began getting death threats and the government ignored them.{{sfn|Soré|2008}} His wife, Genevieve Zongo, confirmed that he was receiving death threats from 1997 to his death in 1998. She was told that Norbert would often be followed by a car while on his motorbike. Zongo was also approached to convince him to drop his investigation, but he continued until his death.{{sfn|Soré|2008}}

On December 13, 1998, four bodies were found shot and burned in a Toyota Land cruiser on the side of the road in [[Sapouy]], [[Ziro Province]].<ref name=mondediplo>{{cite web|url=https://mondediplo.com/1999/08/09zongo|title=Zongo affair shakes Burkina Faso|date=August 1999|publisher=mondediplo.com}}</ref> The remains were identified as Norbert Zongo; Zongo's brother Yembi Ernest Zongo; Blaise Ilboudo, a colleague; and Abdouleye Ablassé Nikiema, who was Zongo's driver.{{sfn|Wise|2001|pp=157–158}}<ref name=fidh>{{cite web|url=https://www.fidh.org/en/region/Africa/burkina-faso/15142-burkina-faso-norbert-zongo-case-the-african-court-recognizes-the|title=Burkina Faso / Norbert Zongo Case : The African Court recognizes the responsibility of the State of Burkina Faso in the denial of justice for the victims|work=Worldwide Movement for Human Rights}}</ref><ref name=cpjimpunity2 /> Zongo's death triggered a national crisis and violent protests within Burkina Faso.<ref name=bbc>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-29858965|title=How Burkina Faso's Blaise Compaore sparked his own downfall|work=BBC News|date=31 October 2014}}</ref><ref name=yahoo>{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/burkina-faso-charges-three-soldiers-murder-journalist-183735293.html|title=Burkina Faso charges three soldiers with murder of journalist|date=12 December 2015|work=Yahoo News}}</ref>

In January 1999, François Compaoré was charged with murder and harboring the body of the victim in connection with the death of Ouedraogo. The charges were later dropped by a military tribunal after François Compaoré appealed against them.

Six presidential body guards were identified as suspects in the murder.<ref name=fidh /><ref name=globalnews>{{cite web|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/2397662/burkina-faso-indicts-jails-3-in-killing-of-investigative-journalist-nearly-2-decades-ago/|title=Burkina Faso indicts, jails 3 in killing of investigative journalist nearly 2 decades ago|author=Staff|date=12 December 2015|work=Global News}}</ref><ref name=ifex2>{{cite web|url=https://www.ifex.org/burkina_faso/1999/05/07/report_on_death_of_journalist_norbert/|title=Report on death of journalist Norbert Zongo submitted by Independent Commission of Inquiry|work=IFEX|date=7 May 1999}}</ref> In August 2000, five members of the [[Regiment of Presidential Security|presidential security]] were charged for the murder of Ouedraogo. Marcel Kafando, Edmond Koama and Ousseini Yaro, who are also suspects in the Norbert Zongo case, were convicted and sentenced to lengthy prison terms. Edmond Koama died on January 4, 2001. Marcel Kafando was the only one who was charged for the crime, but the charges were later dropped on July 19, 2006. Marcel Kafando died three years later, in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://newafricanmagazine.com/burkina-faso-30-october/|title=Burkina Faso: After the revolution|date=9 January 2015}}</ref> The judgment was called "scandalous" by [[Reporters Without Borders]].

Businessman {{ill|Oumarou Kanazoé|fr}}, who had also been implicated in documents brought forward by Reporters Without Borders,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://rsf.org/en/reporters-without-borders-provides-new-evidence-zongo-murder-case | title=Reporters Without Borders provides new evidence in Zongo murder case &#124; RSF | date=20 October 2006 }}</ref> died in October 2011.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://lefaso.net/spip.php?page=web-tv-video&id_article=44497&rubrique4 | title=Mort de Oumarou Kanazoé : Ambiance de deuil à Pissy - leFaso.net }}</ref>

In 2013, the case was appealed for the family to have justice for their loss under a court system that was not under control of Burkina Faso. It was believed by the  African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights that Burkina Faso's government covered up the case and violated the revised treaty of the [[Economic Community of West African States]] (ECOWAS) which allows freedom of expression and journalism.<ref name=cpj /><ref name=fidh /><ref name=opensocietyfoundations>{{cite web|url=https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/voices/killing-norbert-zongo-african-court-stresses-state-obligation-protect-journalists|title=The Killing of Norbert Zongo: African Court Stresses State Obligation to Protect Journalists|work=Open Society Foundations}}</ref> The ACHPR determined that the case should be reopened in order for the victim's families to be compensated for their losses.<ref name=nation /><ref name=cpjimpunity1>{{cite web|url=https://www.cpj.org/blog/2008/12/norbert-zongos-murder-no-justice-after-10-years.php|title=Norbert Zongo's murder: No justice after 10 years|date=12 December 2008|publisher=}}</ref>