Togo Extradites ex-Burkinabe Leader after Alleged Coup Plot
Togo Extradites ex-Burkinabe Leader after Alleged Coup Plot
Togo has extradited former Burkinabe leader, Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba back to Burkina Faso.
Damiba had lived in exile in Lomé since being ousted by Captain Ibrahim Traoré in a September 2022 coup. His arrest followed intensifying pressure regarding his alleged involvement in subversive activities against the current junta.
The extradition was triggered by accusations that Damiba masterminded a major coup plot scheduled for early January. Authorities in Ouagadougou claimed to have foiled a “destabilization attempt” aimed at assassinating Captain Traoré and other top officials.
The government alleged the plot included a coordinated ground invasion supported by foreign interests.
Security Minister, Mahamoudou Sana stated that intelligence services intercepted communications and confessions detailing the operation. The conspirators reportedly planned to neutralize the nation’s drone base to prevent a military counter-response.
Damiba was identified as the primary coordinator of the plot, which led to his earlier loss of military rank.
Togo, which initially granted Damiba refuge to maintain regional stability, shifted its stance following the gravity of these new security threats.
After being held and questioned in Lomé, he was transported to the airport under heavy guard. This marks a rare instance of a regional neighbor handing over a high-profile political exile.
This event highlights the ongoing instability in the Sahel, as Traoré’s administration claims to have foiled three coup attempts since taking power.
The government has vowed to prosecute all involved parties, including several others already in detention. The situation underscores the fragile political climate and the military government’s efforts to consolidate control.
