LAGOS, Nigeria — Togolese judicial authorities have approved the extradition of Burkina Faso’s former military leader Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba to face multiple criminal charges in his home country. The decision, announced Tuesday by Togo’s Ministry of Justice, follows a formal request from Burkina Faso’s current military government.
The Lomé Court of Appeal granted the extradition based on reciprocal assurances from Burkinabè authorities and specific guarantees that Damiba will not face capital punishment. The former junta leader, who had been residing in Togo since his overthrow in September 2022, was apprehended on January 16 amid allegations of his involvement in a recently foiled coup attempt.
Damiba faces serious charges including criminal misappropriation of public funds and incitement to commit crimes. His brief tenure from January to September 2022 ended when current junta leader Ibrahim Traoré deposed him, marking consecutive military takeovers in the volatile West African nation.
This development occurs against the backdrop of escalating regional instability. Since 2020, West Africa has witnessed a disturbing pattern of military interventions, with soldiers justifying power seizures by citing deteriorating security conditions. Armed group attacks have proliferated across the Sahel region and increasingly threatened coastal areas.
Burkina Faso now stands among three West African nations under military rule that have severed ties with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), further complicating regional diplomacy and security cooperation.