Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba

Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba is the former leader of Burkina Faso, who came to power in a coup in 2022. He was subsequently overthrown eight months later by the current junta leader, Ibrahim Traoré. Damiba is currently newsworthy because he has been extradited to Burkina Faso from Togo, where he was arrested. The current regime in Ouagadougou accuses Damiba of masterminding an assassination attempt against Traoré. This extradition and the accusations against him coincide with the current junta's increasing suppression of political dissent, including a recent ban on all political parties, which were already suspended since the 2022 coup. Damiba's case highlights the ongoing political instability and power struggles within Burkina Faso, and the current regime's efforts to consolidate its control.