Burkina Faso’s former transitional president, Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, has been arrested in Togo and expelled from the country, according to local sources.
Damiba first came to power in a 2022 coup that ousted President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré. However, eight months later, he was overthrown by military leader Ibrahim Traoré, who remains Burkina Faso’s head of state.
Since his exile in Togo, Damiba has been accused of orchestrating multiple coup attempts and assassination plots against Traoré and other civilian and military officials. Reports indicate that he was arrested in Lomé last week and briefly detained on charges of attempting to destabilize Burkina Faso before being taken to an airport. His final destination has not yet been confirmed.
Burkinabe authorities claim they foiled an assassination attempt on Traoré scheduled for January 3, with several alleged conspirators appearing on state television to confirm that they were acting under Damiba’s orders.
Security officials say Damiba had planned a series of targeted killings, beginning with Traoré, as part of broader efforts to regain influence in Burkina Faso.
