The Togolese government has confirmed the extradition of Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, Burkina Faso’s former transitional president, to Ouagadougou, where he is to face prosecution over allegations ranging from attempted coup plots to corruption and financial crimes.
Damiba, who took power in January 2022, was deposed nine months later in a military takeover that installed Captain Ibrahim Traore as Burkina Faso’s leader. Following his ouster, Damiba had been living in exile in Togo.
Since then, Burkina Faso’s military authorities have repeatedly accused the former leader of planning coup attempts and assassination plots against the current junta, with the latest allegations surfacing 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” forwarded by Burkinabe authorities four days earlier.
He was handed over to authorities in Ouagadougou the next day, according to the minister’s statement.
Adjourouvi said Damiba is facing 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 explained that Togo approved the extradition after receiving “guarantees” from Burkina Faso regarding Damiba’s physical integrity and right to a fair trial.
He also highlighted the “absence of the death penalty” in the case, despite Burkina Faso’s recent move to reinstate capital punishment for crimes of high treason.
As of Tuesday afternoon, authorities in Ouagadougou had not issued an official response to the extradition.
