Togo has extradited Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, Burkina Faso’s former transitional president, to Ouagadougou to face prosecution over allegations including attempted coup plots, corruption, and financial crimes, the Togolese government confirmed on Tuesday.
Damiba, who seized power in Burkina Faso in January 2022, was himself overthrown nine months later in a coup that brought Captain Ibrahim Traore to power. Since his removal, he had been living in exile in Togo.
Burkina Faso’s military authorities have repeatedly accused Damiba of orchestrating coup plots and assassination attempts against the current junta, including allegations made earlier this month.
Togolese Justice Minister Pacome Adjourouvi said Damiba was arrested in Lomé on January 16 “in execution of an arrest warrant accompanied by an extradition request” submitted by Burkinabe authorities four days earlier.
According to the statement, Damiba was handed over to authorities in Ouagadougou the following day.
He is being prosecuted on charges including “criminal embezzlement of public funds, criminal illicit enrichment, corruption, incitement to commit offences and crimes, aggravated concealment and money laundering,” the justice minister said.
Adjourouvi explained that Togo approved the extradition after Burkina Faso provided “guarantees” concerning Damiba’s physical integrity and right to a fair trial.
He also pointed to the “absence of the death penalty” in the case, despite Burkina Faso’s recent reinstatement of capital punishment for crimes of high treason.
As of Tuesday afternoon, authorities in Ouagadougou had yet to issue an official response on the extradition.
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