Burkina Faso Ex-President Damiba Extradited from Togo

Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, the former transitional president of Burkina Faso, has been extradited from Togo, marking a dramatic turn in the nation's ongoing political crisis. The extradition follows months of exile and mounting accusations from the current military leadership.

Damiba, a former lieutenant-colonel, was overthrown in a coup led by Ibrahim Traoré in September 2022. He subsequently fled to neighboring Togo, where he has remained under protection. However, the political landscape has shifted rapidly, culminating in his return to Burkina Faso under controversial circumstances.

The events leading to this extradition began in September 2022, when Damiba's transitional government was itself overthrown by rival military factions. Damiba had initially seized power in January 2022, ousting President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, but his tenure was short-lived.

Following the coup led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, Damiba sought refuge in Togo, a neighboring nation. This exile period was characterized by a tense standoff, with the new junta accusing Damiba of undermining the state from abroad.

The situation escalated when the Burkinabè junta formally accused Damiba of being the mastermind behind several coup attempts. These allegations painted a picture of a former leader actively working against the current administration.

The ruling junta in Ouagadougou has consistently leveled serious charges against Damiba. Officials have described him as the "cerveau" or mastermind behind multiple plots to destabilize the government.

Most notably, the accusations include:

• Orchestrating the most recent coup attempt at the beginning of the month
• Coordinating previous failed putsch attempts
• Conspiring from exile to regain power

These claims have been a central feature of the junta's narrative, used to justify the crackdown on perceived internal threats. The extradition itself appears to be a direct result of these escalating tensions between the two military leaders.

Togo played a pivotal role in this diplomatic saga, serving as the host nation for Damiba during his exile. The decision to extradite him represents a significant shift in Togo's foreign policy regarding the crisis in Burkina Faso.

For months, Togo provided a safe haven, but the political pressure from the Burkinabè junta likely influenced the decision to hand over the former president. The extradition process was not detailed in public announcements, but the outcome is clear: Damiba is no longer under Togolese protection.

This move leaves Damiba vulnerable to the judicial system of the current regime, which has shown little tolerance for opposition since taking power.

Burkina Faso has been mired in political instability since early 2022, experiencing two military coups in less than a year. The country faces severe security challenges from jihadist insurgencies, which have fueled the military's takeover of power.

The current junta, led by Ibrahim Traoré, has promised to restore constitutional order but has faced repeated allegations of internal dissent. The accusation that Damiba is behind recent plots suggests that the struggle for control within the military is far from over.

The extradition of a former head of state by a neighboring country is a rare event in West African politics, highlighting the severity of the internal divisions within Burkina Faso's security forces.

The return of Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba to Burkina Faso closes a chapter of exile but likely opens a new one of legal and political confrontation. His fate will be closely watched by regional bodies like ECOWAS and the African Union, who have struggled to manage the wave of military takeovers in the Sahel.

As the junta consolidates power, the handling of Damiba's case will serve as a litmus test for its commitment to the rule of law. The international community remains concerned about the shrinking political space and the potential for further violence in the volatile region.