Exiled Leader's Arrest Signals Regional Turmoil in West Africa

Togo arrested and expelled Burkina Faso’s ex-president Paul-Henri Damiba to his homeland amid allegations of a coup attempt. Damiba, who initially seized power in Burkina Faso in 2022, was himself deposed later that year. His alleged plot to kill current leader Ibrahim Traore further complicates regional instability marked by multiple coups.

Togo has detained and sent back Burkina Faso's former president, Paul-Henri Damiba, amid accusations of orchestrating a coup, according to sources close to the matter, Reuters reported on Tuesday.

Damiba had risen to power in Burkina Faso in 2022 following a coup against a civilian government that had struggled to quell violent Islamist insurgencies, only to be ousted himself later that year by current leader Ibrahim Traore.

A security source indicated Damiba's recent arrest came on Saturday in the Togolese capital. Despite attempts, Reuters could not obtain a comment from Damiba or confirm if he had legal representation in Togo.

(With inputs from agencies.)