• Togo extradites ex-Burkina leader Paul-Henri Damiba to Burkina Faso

• Extradition follows Jan. 12 request; Damiba faces corruption, embezzlement charges

• Burkina Faso gave guarantees on fair trial, no death penalty

The Togolese government confirmed in a statement issued Tuesday that it has extradited Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, the former Burkinabe transitional president, to Burkina Faso. The government said the move was carried out within the framework of judicial cooperation between states and respect for the rule of law.

According to the statement, the decision followed an extradition request submitted on Jan. 12 by the judicial authorities of Burkina Faso. Damiba was subsequently apprehended on Jan. 16 under an arrest warrant included with the extradition request and was then brought before the Lomé Court of Appeal.

Following his hearing, the court issued a favorable opinion on the request. This decision was based, notably, on an offer of reciprocity from the Burkinabe authorities as well as international instruments.

The former transitional president is being prosecuted for criminal embezzlement of public funds, illicit enrichment, corruption, incitement to commit crimes and offenses, aggravated receiving of stolen goods, and money laundering.

Exiled in Togo since his fall in 2022, he is also described as the instigator of several coup attempts. On Jan. 3, Burkinabe authorities announced they had foiled a new coup attempt aimed at assassinating Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the current transitional president.

Damiba rose to power in January 2022 following a coup against the elected president, Roch Marc Christian Kaboré. He was himself overthrown nine months later by Captain Ibrahim Traoré.

Two days afterward, he agreed to resign under certain conditions. These included guarantees for his security and rights as well as those of his collaborators, guarantees of security and non-prosecution for military personnel committed to his side, and respect for commitments made to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for a return to civilian power within two years.

The Togolese government specified that the favorable opinion for extradition was given notably because Burkina Faso provided guarantees regarding respect for the physical integrity and dignity of Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba. The guarantees also covered his rights during the proceedings, specifically the right to a fair trial and the absence of the death penalty.

Burkina Faso reinstated the death penalty last December for crimes such as high treason, acts of terrorism, and acts of espionage.

Lydie Mobio