Burkina Faso/Togo: Focus on the extradition case of Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba
Tensions persist regarding the former Burkinabe transitional president, Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, who is strongly accused by the authorities in Ouagadougou of involvement in a plot to destabilize Burkina Faso, partially financed from Côte d’Ivoire. If these allegations prove true, his potential extradition from Togo to Ouagadougou would appear as a logical, even necessary, measure.
Indeed, allowing an individual to threaten the security of a neighboring state and to remain on Togolese territory could be interpreted as a form of complicity, incompatible with the principles of good neighborliness.
Since Captain Ibrahim Traoré came to power, Togolese President His Excellency Faure Gnassingbé has shown unwavering support for Burkina Faso.
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Furthermore, Togo has positioned itself as a firm defender of the AES countries in the face of ECOWAS sanctions and pressures that risked worsening the lives of their populations.
This solidarity is rooted in a historic diplomatic relationship between the two nations, marked by decades of cooperation.
In this context, the presence of former President Damiba in Togo; if he is indeed involved in destabilizing activities; would pose a direct threat to this positive bilateral understanding.
If an extradition were to occur, it would send a strong signal of unwavering cooperation between Togo and Burkina Faso in confronting threats to both states.
For Ouagadougou, it would help neutralize a security risk, while for Lomé, it would be an opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to regional stability and avoid being seen as a refuge for destabilizing actors like Damiba. Such a decision would also strengthen Togo’s credibility as a reliable partner for the AES countries.
At this stage, no official source has confirmed such an extradition. However, if realized, it would be viewed as a diplomatic victory for both nations.
It would demonstrate that bilateral relations take precedence over individual considerations and that regional stability remains a shared priority.
Cédric KABORE
