President Ibrahim Traoré has banned the wearing of British and French colonial wigs by judges in the country’s courts, marking a significant move toward reclaiming Burkina Faso’s cultural and legal identity.
The decision, announced during a recent press conference, is part of the government’s broader initiative to distance the nation from its colonial past and assert its sovereignty.
The wigs and formal attire, which have long symbolized colonial influence in legal systems across former British and French territories, were introduced during colonial times.
By banning these colonial-era symbols, President Traoré seeks to foster a more authentic legal system that aligns with Burkina Faso’s cultural heritage.
This move is part of Burkina Faso’s ongoing efforts to decolonize its institutions, a priority for President Traoré’s administration. The decision reflects a growing movement across Africa to reassess colonial practices, with several countries choosing to abandon or adapt colonial-era symbols, including the iconic barrister wigs.
In many former British colonies, such as Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa, the practice of wearing wigs in courts remains entrenched, despite calls for reform.
The wigs, originally introduced by British colonial authorities, are seen by some as an outdated symbol of colonial rule.
In South Africa, the debate over barrister wigs has been ongoing, with some arguing for their removal to promote a more contemporary and locally relevant approach to legal proceedings.
Similarly, in Nigeria, while the wigs remain in use, there has been growing discussion about modernizing the judicial system, with advocates calling for a more distinctively African identity within the legal system.
The situation is similar in many French-speaking African countries, such as Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Cameroon, where French-style judicial attire has been maintained post-independence.
These countries, influenced by the French legal tradition, still require judges to wear wigs and robes, a remnant of the colonial era.
However, in recent years, there has been increasing pressure to adapt these symbols to reflect the changing social and cultural landscape of the continent.
⚖️ | 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso President Ibrahim Traoré has officially banned British/French colonial wigs worn by judges in courts.
Lead Africa young man, show the fake “weak leaders” how it’s done.
Africa is proud of you! pic.twitter.com/gsCcPKOYCU
— Evaluator. (@_AfricanSoil) January 12, 2025
