(Ecofin Agency) - 17 years after his death, the street where Norbert Zongo was murdered in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, was named after him. The Norbert Zongo Avenue was commissioned on the 13 December, a day before his death anniversary. Present at this ceremony was the transitional Prime Minister, Yacouba Isaac Zida. 

“With this, Norbert has truly become immortal. This is the first step in a victory resulting from the efforts of all Burkinabe,” said Victor Zongo, representative of the Zongo family.

5 years ago, former president Blaise Compoaré’s regime did not well perceive that a street would be named after Norbert Zongo. This was even recalled by the president of democratic mass organizations and political parties (CODMPP in French) association Chrysogone Zougmoré who said: “At the 10^th anniversary of Sapouy’s murders, the association, as symbolic gesture, renamed the Nation’s Avenue the Norbert Zongo Avenue. Following this, they were arrested and questioned by the gendarmerie.”    

Beyond the symbolic act, justice is still to be served in the Norbert Zongo case. Founder and editor of weekly L’indépendant, Norbert Zongo was killed after he started investigating on the mysterious death of David Ouedraogo, driver of François Compaoré, the brother of former president Blaise Compaoré. On December 13, 1998, Norbert Zongo and three of his friends (Yembi Ernest Zongo, Blaise Ilboudo and Ablassé Nikièma) were found burnt in their car riddled with bullets.  

“We hope that beyond this gesture, justice will be given to Norbert Zongo, emphasized Bénéwendé Sankara,” the lawyer of the Zongo family. “Is there better tribute to Norbert and his friends than for truth and justice to prevail?” added Chrysogone Zougmoré.  

The Norbert Zongo case has been re-opened after the fall of president Compaoré. Three ex-soldiers of the former presidential security unit were arrested and convicted. “Those who murdered Norbert Zongo, at least those still alive, have been arrested. We are now waiting for them to be judged so that everything is made clear: we will find out who was behind the assassination of Norbert Zongo and the reason behind it,” promised the Prime Minister.