US Embassy Burkina Faso employee sentenced to life for aggravated sexual abuse of minors

Federal prosecutors said Fode Sitafa Mara, a Maryland man and US Embassy employee in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, was sentenced to life in prison after a jury convicted him of aggravated sexual abuse of two teenage girls. He was also convicted of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and attempted obstruction of justice. His lawyer said he will appeal.

Federal prosecutors said Fode Sitafa Mara, a Maryland man, received a life prison term. Mara worked at the US Embassy in Burkina Faso. Prosecutors said Mara sexually assaulted two girls while posted in Ouagadougou. The sentence was handed down on Thursday, following a federal jury verdict last year.

Mara, 41, was found guilty of four counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor. The jury also convicted Mara of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. Another conviction covered attempted obstruction of justice. Mara is a US citizen and served as an embassy employee in Ouagadougou.

US Embassy Burkina Faso case details

Trial evidence showed Mara raped two teenage girls during 2022 and 2023. Prosecutors said the assaults happened at Mara’s embassy-leased home in Ouagadougou. The girls were aged 13 and 15. Prosecutors said Mara summoned the girls when Mara’s wife was at work.

According to prosecutors, the girls lived in poverty near Mara’s residence. Prosecutors said the home lacked running water. The US attorney’s office said a previous resident had built ties with the girls. The earlier occupant also supported the girls’ family with nourishment and safety.

US Embassy Burkina Faso prosecution and appeal

Prosecutors said Mara exploited the girls’ mother’s life-threatening illness. Prosecutors said Mara demanded sex in return for help. The US attorney’s office said Mara told the girls he could not assist without getting something back. Prosecutors also said Mara gave the girls phones to call them over.

Robert C. Bonsib, Mara’s lawyer, said Mara has asserted his innocence throughout the case and plans to appeal. Prosecutors said the US pursued the case because the Burkina Faso home was reserved for diplomatic staff. Prosecutors also linked the case to Project Safe Childhood, started in 2006.

With inputs from PTI