Burkina Faso — Damiba Handed Over: Power Consolidation, Alleged Plots, and the Hardening of Sahelian Politics

A Discreet Transfer with Strategic Consequences

The reappearance and removal of Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, the former head of Burkina Faso’s Transition, marks a new inflection point in the country’s ongoing political crisis. After more than two years of silence and a closely monitored stay in Lomé, Damiba was reportedly apprehended and expelled by Togolese authorities in mid-January, in response to a request from Burkina Faso. The operation—conducted with minimal publicity—has reignited tensions between the current military leadership in Ouagadougou and figures associated with the previous transition.

This episode unfolds amid repeated allegations by the ruling authorities of attempted destabilization and coup plotting, placing Damiba at the centre of a narrative that blends security claims with political consolidation.

Arrest and Removal: A Managed Process

According to multiple sources contacted by African Security Analysis (ASA) in Togo, Damiba was detained in Lomé where he had resided since his ouster in September 2022. While living under tight surveillance in a secured neighbourhood, no public judicial proceedings had been announced prior to his detention. He was reportedly presented before a Togolese judicial authority, after which a decision favourable to a Burkinabè request was issued. Shortly thereafter, he was escorted to the airport with limited personal effects and flown to an undisclosed destination.

Neither Lomé nor Ouagadougou has released an official statement detailing the legal basis of the expulsion or Damiba’s current whereabouts—an opacity that underscores the political sensitivity of the move.

Allegations of a Foiled Coup

The transfer is closely linked to accusations levelled by the government of Ibrahim Traoré, which has claimed to have thwarted multiple coup attempts in recent months. In early January, Burkina Faso’s security minister publicly alleged a plot aimed at senior state officials, including the head of state. Official accounts describe a plan involving coordinated armed actions, sabotage of key military infrastructure, and targeted assassinations.

Within this narrative, Damiba is portrayed as the principal instigator—accused of planning operations, mobilizing financing, and coordinating networks spanning military and civilian actors. Authorities further allege that funds transited from abroad, notably via Côte d’Ivoire, to support the effort. Arrests have been reported domestically, alongside broadcast “confessions” by suspects—elements that reinforce the official storyline but also raise questions about due process.

Evidence, Process, and the Politics of Disclosure

ASA analysts note that, to date, no independent judicial documentation has been made public, nor has a public trial been announced. The reliance on televised admissions and security briefings—absent transparent legal proceedings—has fuelled scepticism among civil society groups and some international observers. This opacity complicates efforts to distinguish between genuine security threats and the instrumentalization of allegations to neutralize political rivals.

The alleged involvement of neighbouring states adds a diplomatic layer to the crisis, heightening sensitivities in a region already marked by strained relations and mutual suspicion.

Regional Repercussions and the Sahelian Context

Traditionally viewed as a haven for political exiles, Togo’s role in Damiba’s removal signals a narrowing of safe spaces for former leaders in the Sahel. The episode reflects broader regional realignments, where military-led transitions increasingly prioritize regime security and deterrence over accommodation. In Burkina Faso, the imperative to demonstrate control—amid a deteriorating security environment—has gone hand in hand with tighter information management and reduced tolerance for dissent.

Analytical Takeaway

From an analytical perspective, Damiba’s handover illustrates the hardening of political power across the Sahel, where accusations of conspiracy function both as security alerts and as tools of consolidation. Whether the allegations withstand independent judicial scrutiny remains unclear. What is evident is that this episode deepens polarization, complicates regional diplomacy, and reinforces a trend toward securitized governance—a trajectory that may stabilize regimes in the short term, but risks entrenching instability over the longer