{"id":111949,"date":"2026-01-20T21:33:15","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T21:33:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=111949"},"modified":"2026-01-20T21:33:15","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T21:33:15","slug":"ex-president-accused-of-murder-plot-expelled-from-togo-to-burkina-faso","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=111949","title":{"rendered":"Ex-president accused of murder plot expelled from Togo to Burkina Faso"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n \t<\/i> Read Time:<\/span>2 Minute, 9 Second <\/div>\n\n <\/div>
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Togo has arrested and extradited Burkina Faso\u2019s former leader to his home country, after authorities in Ouagadougou accused him of plotting to kill his successor.<\/p>\n

Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba \u2013 who came to power in a coup in 2022 before himself being overthrown by Ibrahim Traor\u00e9 eight months later \u2013 is accused by the current regime of masterminding an assassination attempt against Traor\u00e9.<\/p>\n

According to the Togolese justice ministry, Damiba was handed over to the Burkinab\u00e8 authorities on Saturday.<\/p>\n

It says as part of the deal, Burkina Faso promised to ensure \u201cphysical integrity, dignity and fair\u2011trial rights of Mr Paul\u2011Henri Sandaogo Damiba, and the absence of the death penalty\u201d.<\/p>\n

Among the charges levelled at Damiba by Burkina Faso\u2019s military government are \u201ccriminal embezzlement of public funds, illicit enrichment, corruption, aggravated receiving of stolen goods and money laundering\u201d, said Togo\u2019s justice ministry in a statement.<\/p>\n

No comments from Damiba on the charges have been reported and neither have the BBC\u2019s calls to him been picked up.<\/p>\n

Most serious are the murder plot allegations.<\/p>\n

Earlier this month, Burkina Faso\u2019s Security Minister Mahamadou Sana announced on state television that security forces had foiled a planned series of targeted assassinations aimed at destabilising the state, including what he called the \u201cneutralisation\u201d of Traor\u00e9.<\/p>\n

Officials in Ouagadougou have repeatedly accused Damiba of orchestrating plots from exile. In late 2024, he was again named publicly as the head of what authorities described as the \u201cmilitary wing\u201d of a broader conspiracy.<\/p>\n

Damiba first seized power in January 2022, toppling the elected government of Roch Marc Christian Kabor\u00e9 amid frustration over the state\u2019s failure to curb Islamist violence.<\/p>\n

But after just eight months, he was himself overthrown by Traor\u00e9, then a 34\u2011year\u2011old artillery officer who accused him of failing to deliver security improvements.<\/p>\n

Since then, the Traor\u00e9-led junta has tightened its grip on the country, expelling French forces, adopting an assertive nationalist stance and recently reinstating the death penalty, including for crimes of high treason.<\/p>\n

Despite promises to restore order, Burkina Faso remains mired in one of the world\u2019s most severe security crises, with militant jihadist attacks continuing across large parts of the country.<\/p>\n

The return of Damiba to Burkina Faso, under arrest and possibly facing a long list of criminal charges, is expected to escalate tensions within the military and political establishment.<\/p>\n

Political observers suggest that repeated accusations, foiled plots and widening divisions within the armed forces will likely lead to questions about the stability of a government still confronting both a brutal insurgency and internal rivalries.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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