Burkina Faso general’s daughter freed after a year in captivity

The daughter of exiled Burkina Faso general and former foreign minister Djibril Bassole has been released after spending more than a year in captivity, her family announced on Tuesday. Yasmine Bassole was abducted in September 2024 in the capital Ouagadougou, along with her brother Aziz and a cousin. Family members and friends told AFP that masked men released her on Monday night.

Her kidnapping came months after her father, who served as foreign minister under former president Blaise Compaore was accused of plotting against the current administration led by Captain Ibrahim Traore. Bassole has lived in exile in France since 2020 and has clashed repeatedly with Burkina Faso’s military authorities since Traore seized power in a 2022 coup.

A family friend speaking anonymously confirmed Yasmine’s release, saying she has returned home but will undergo medical checks and treatment.
Her cousin Benoit, who was also kidnapped, was freed in July. Meanwhile, Yasmine’s brother Aziz remains missing, and the family continues to appeal for information on his whereabouts.

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