The case seeks to legally end their marriage and will be heard at the Kicukiro Primary Court.

Information obtained by IGIHE shows that the hearing will consider the requests and arguments raised by both parties during a preliminary hearing held on September 14, 2026.

Vestine, through her lawyer, told the court that she was seeking a divorce because Ouedraogo had concealed from her that he already had a family in Burkina Faso.

She told the court that after discovering this and confronting him about it, Ouedraogo began assaulting and beating her.

IGIHE has also learned that Vestine was informed that Ouedraogo had a family in Burkina Faso by his sister, who called her by phone.

During the preliminary hearing, Vestine said she was not seeking a share of any property with her husband.

She also told the court that she would continue raising their child, who lives with her and is still young.

Ouedraogo, however, denied the allegations through his lawyer and said he did not agree to the divorce.

“We do not accept the allegations made against us, and we also do not agree to the divorce because the grounds on which it is being sought never happened,” his lawyer told the court.

Ouedraogo’s side argued that if the court decides to grant the divorce, it should be based on grounds attributable to Vestine, including what it described as her abandonment of the marital home and other grounds presented to the court.

The lawyer also told the court that Ouedraogo believes the child is his but wants a DNA test conducted because there are doubts about their biological relationship.

Beyond the question of paternity, Ouedraogo’s side said he was concerned that he had not been able to see the child and asked the court to order Vestine to allow him to do so.

The court is expected to consider the arguments from both sides when it hears the case on December 3.