Archive · 20 Jan 2026
Togo Expels Ex-Burkina Faso Leader
Paul-Henri Damiba was the president of Burkina Faso, but he was removed from power in a coup led by Ibrahim Traore.
Recently, Damiba was living in Togo, but Burkina Faso said he was planning another coup to harm Traore.
Togo arrested Damiba and sent him back to Burkina Faso.
Both countries have not officially commented on the situation.
There have been many coups in West and Central Africa in the past few years, and Traore has talked about other attempted coups since he took power.
Togo arrested and expelled former Burkina Faso president Paul-Henri Damiba after he was accused of attempting a coup.
Damiba was flown to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on Saturday, January 20, 2024.
Burkina Faso officials alleged that Damiba was involved in a plot to kill current leader Ibrahim Traore.
A source close to Togo’s presidency stated that Damiba had been warned about involvement in destabilization efforts in Burkina Faso.
West and Central Africa have experienced nine coups since 2020, with Traore announcing several attempted coups since taking power.
- Who
- Paul-Henri Damiba, former president of Burkina Faso, and Ibrahim Traore, current leader of Burkina Faso.
- What
- Togo arrested and expelled Paul-Henri Damiba, the former president of Burkina Faso, after he was accused of attempting a coup.
- When
- Damiba was arrested on Saturday, January 20, 2024.
- Where
- The arrest took place in Lome, Togo, and Damiba was flown to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
- Why
- Burkina Faso officials accused Damiba of attempting a coup to kill the current leader, Ibrahim Traore.
- Ex-Burkina Faso Leader
- Paul-Henri Damiba
- Current Burkina Faso Leader
- Ibrahim Traore
- Date of Expulsion
- January 20, 2024
- Accusation
- Attempting a coup
- Location of Arrest
- Lome, Togo
- Destination After Expulsion
- Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
- Number of Coups in West and Central Africa since 2020
- Nine