In a swift legal move, Togo has extradited Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, the former military ruler of Burkina Faso, to face charges in Ouagadougou.
Damiba is accused of masterminding a sophisticated plot to assassinate the current head of state, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, and destabilise the country.
This move follows a formal extradition request filed on January 12, 2026, just days after Burkinabe officials claimed to have foiled a coup attempt scheduled for earlier this month.
According to security officials in Ouagadougou, the thwarted operation involved a direct strike on President Traoré’s residence and the neutralisation of critical military infrastructure, including the national drone base.
The authorities named-checked Damiba—who has lived in exile in Togo since his ouster in September 2022—as the central coordinator responsible for financing and recruiting personnel for the plot.
Burkinabe Minister of Security Mahamoudou Sana further alleged that significant funding for the plot originated from neighouring Côte d’Ivoire.
Beyond the immediate charges of conspiracy and assassination, Damiba faces a litany of legal challenges in Burkina Faso, including embezzlement of public funds, corruption, and money laundering.
These legal proceedings follow his formal dismissal from the Burkinabe Armed Forces in late 2024 for “acts of collusion with a foreign power.”
The extradition process was completed in record time. Following his arrest in Lomé on January 16, the Togolese Court of Appeal issued a favourable opinion after receiving guarantees from Burkina Faso regarding Damiba’s physical integrity and his right to a fair trial.
A day later, Damiba was officially handed over to the Burkinabe authorities.
The government in Ouagadougou said investigations are underway and that all parties involved in the bids to destabilise Burkina Faso will face the full weight of the law.
HO/ac/sf/lb/abj/APA