Burkina Faso’s former leader, Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, has been sent back to his home country from Togo after facing allegations that he planned to assassinate the current head of the military government, raising fresh tensions in Ouagadougou.
Damiba, who took power through a coup in 2022 but was overthrown eight months later by Ibrahim Traoré, was handed over on Saturday, the Togolese justice ministry confirmed.
Officials said the transfer was made after Burkina Faso assured Togo that Damiba would be treated fairly and protected from the death penalty. The statement noted guarantees for “physical integrity, dignity and fair trial rights of Mr Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba, and the absence of the death penalty”.
The former ruler faces several criminal accusations including “criminal embezzlement of public funds, illicit enrichment, corruption, aggravated receiving of stolen goods and money laundering”, according to Togo. Attempts to contact Damiba have so far not been successful, and no public response from him has been recorded.
Central to the case are claims of a plot to eliminate Traoré. Earlier this month, Security Minister Mahamadou Sana told state television that authorities had intercepted plans for targeted killings aimed at destabilising the country, describing the scheme as the “neutralisation” of Traoré.
Burkina Faso’s authorities have repeatedly linked Damiba to such conspiracies from exile. In late 2024, he was identified publicly as leading the so-called “military wing” of a broader network plotting against the government.
Damiba first assumed power in January 2022 after overthrowing the elected administration of Roch Marc Christian Kaboré amid public anger over worsening Islamist attacks.
But his tenure lasted only eight months before Traoré, then a 34-year-old artillery officer, replaced him, citing failures to restore security.
Since taking control, Traoré’s government has consolidated power, expelled French forces, promoted a nationalist agenda, and reinstated the death penalty for high treason.
Despite these measures, Burkina Faso continues to grapple with one of the world’s most intense security crises, with militant attacks widespread.
Damiba’s return under arrest, facing multiple charges, is expected to heighten divisions within the military and political circles. Experts say repeated accusations, thwarted schemes, and internal rifts could raise doubts about the resilience of a government confronting both violent insurgency and internal rivalries.
