Africa Watch
Former Burkina Faso Leader Damiba Extradited From Togo in Move That Reshapes Sahel Politics
Former Burkina Faso president, Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, has been extradited from Togo and handed over to Burkinabé authorities, a development with significant implications for regional security, military governance and West Africa’s shifting geopolitical alliances.
Damiba, who ruled Burkina Faso briefly after seizing power in a January 2022 coup, had been living in exile in Togo since he was ousted in a counter-coup led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré in September 2022.
On January 17, 2026, Togolese authorities formally transferred him to Burkina Faso following allegations that he played a central role in a foiled plot to destabilize the current government earlier this month.
Alleged role in January plot
Burkina Faso’s transitional authorities have identified Damiba as one of the alleged masterminds behind an attempted coup uncovered on the eve of January 3, 2026. The government says the plot aimed to overthrow the Traoré administration, which has survived several reported assassination attempts since taking power.
While investigations are ongoing, the extradition marks one of the most high-profile transfers of a former African head of state in recent years and signals a tightening stance by regional governments against exiled coup leaders accused of plotting from abroad.
Regional and geopolitical significance
Damiba’s return comes amid deepening political realignments in the Sahel. Burkina Faso is a core member of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), alongside Mali and Niger, a bloc formed in 2024 after all three countries withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and distanced themselves from traditional Western partners, particularly France.
For analysts, Togo’s decision to hand over Damiba is notable. Lomé has traditionally been viewed as aligned with Western partners, yet the extradition suggests a growing willingness among coastal West African states to cooperate with Sahelian military governments on security matters, even as broader diplomatic tensions persist.
“This move reflects the changing political calculus in the region,” a West African security analyst told the BBC. “States are increasingly prioritizing internal stability and cross-border security over ideological alignments.”
Why it matters for Ghana and the region
For Ghana, which shares borders with Burkina Faso and has repeatedly warned about the spillover risks of Sahelian instability, Damiba’s extradition underscores the fragile security environment north of its borders. Accra has intensified border patrols and regional intelligence cooperation amid fears that political unrest and militant violence in the Sahel could affect coastal states.
The development also highlights a broader trend: former leaders accused of undermining post-coup transitions may find it increasingly difficult to rely on exile as protection, especially as regional security concerns deepen.
As Burkina Faso authorities prepare to formally charge Damiba, the case is expected to draw close attention across West Africa, raising questions about accountability after coups, the future of military-led governments, and the evolving balance of power between the Sahel and its neighbors.
Pope Leo XIV will depart on Monday, April 13, 2026, for a major 10-day apostolic journey to Africa, visiting Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea.
Vatican officials are describing the tour as a deliberate effort to shine a global spotlight on the continent.
The trip, spanning nearly 18,000 kilometers (11,185 miles) and including stops in 11 cities and towns, will be the longest and most ambitious overseas journey of the pontiff’s young papacy.
During the tour, running from April 13 to 23, the 70-year-old Pope is scheduled to deliver 25 speeches, hold meetings with political leaders, and engage extensively with local Catholic communities.
Cardinal Michael Czerny, a senior Vatican official and close adviser to Pope Leo, said the visit is intended “to help turn the world’s attention to Africa.”
He noted that by heading to the continent early in his pontificate, the first American Pope is sending a strong message that “Africa matters” and should not be overlooked amid other global concerns.
Africa is currently the fastest-growing region for Catholicism, with more than 20% of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics now living on the continent. Equatorial Guinea, which has not hosted a papal visit since 1982, is over 70% Catholic, while significant Catholic populations exist in Cameroon and Angola. Algeria, by contrast, is overwhelmingly Muslim with a small Catholic community.
The tour comes as Pope Leo has taken an increasingly vocal stance against the ongoing war in Iran. Vatican officials say the African visit reflects both the Church’s pastoral priorities and its commitment to global solidarity with regions often marginalized in international discourse.
Washington, D.C. – The United States has issued a strong travel advisory urging its citizens to reconsider all travel to Nigeria, citing persistent threats of terrorism, kidnapping, civil unrest, and armed attacks across large parts of the country.
In an update released last Wednesday, the US State Department placed several Nigerian states under its highest-level “Do Not Travel” warning due to the deteriorating security situation.
The advisory also authorised the voluntary departure of non-emergency US embassy staff and their families from Abuja, describing the overall environment as increasingly challenging for American citizens and diplomats.
Despite deepening security cooperation between Washington and Abuja — including counter-terrorism support, intelligence sharing, maritime security, and military training with US-supplied aircraft and helicopters — the move underscores the gap between strategic partnership and the daily reality of insecurity faced by civilians and foreigners in many regions.
The advisory warns that violent attacks could occur with little or no warning in public places such as markets, hotels, places of worship, schools, and transportation hubs.
Nigerian authorities have yet to issue a formal response to the latest warning. In the past, officials have criticised such advisories for unfairly tarnishing the country’s image and potentially harming diaspora travel, international conferences, and foreign investment at a time when Nigeria is seeking economic recovery.
The development comes amid a fresh surge in deadly attacks in parts of the country, raising renewed concerns about the effectiveness of ongoing counter-insurgency operations against groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP, as well as banditry and communal violence in other regions.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The Ghana Embassy in Ethiopia and Permanent Mission to the African Union and UNECA has officially launched “Ghana Month,” a major cultural and diplomatic initiative aimed at deepening ties between Ghana and Ethiopia while showcasing Ghana’s rich heritage across Africa.
The celebration, running throughout May 2026 at Kuriftu Village in partnership with Kuriftu Resorts, will feature cultural performances, creative exhibitions, music, fashion, culinary experiences, and entrepreneurial showcases. It is expected to attract diplomats, business leaders, tourists, and the Ethiopian public.
Counsellor Ms Grace Maakinyi Mbiba, in her opening remarks, described the initiative as “an opportunity to showcase the diversity of Ghana’s heritage and the dynamism of its creative and entrepreneurial sectors.”
Ambassador Dr Robert Afriyie commended Kuriftu Resorts for the collaboration, calling it a true embodiment of Pan-Africanism. He noted that the event aligns with Ghana’s broader vision of using tourism, culture, music, fashion, and history to promote continental unity and economic cooperation.
The Ambassador highlighted the growing bilateral relationship between Ghana and Ethiopia and positioned the month-long celebration as a practical platform to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) through cultural exchange and people-to-people connections.
The initiative is expected to boost tourism, trade, and mutual understanding between the two nations.
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