Extradition of Burkina Faso’s Former Junta Leader Highlights Fragile Security in West Africa

In a move that reveals more about the deepening instability in West Africa than about justice, Togo has extradited Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, the former military leader of Burkina Faso, back to his homeland. Damiba, who was ousted amid growing insecurity and power struggles last year, now faces charges including embezzlement and incitement—charges that may be as politically charged as they are legal.

The decision by Togo’s judiciary was justified by an appeal court citing “reciprocity” assurances from Burkina Faso’s current military rulers that Damiba would not face the death penalty. Yet this transfer raises serious questions about regional governance and respect for national sovereignty under duress.

Is This Justice or Political Expediency?

Damiba’s reign from January to September 2022 was marked by an inability to halt brutal jihadist attacks sweeping across the Sahel—a crisis Washington warned about repeatedly during President Trump’s administration. His removal by another junta led by Ibrahim Traore only deepened political uncertainty in a region already fractured by successive coups. When Burkina Faso itself became part of a trio of nations breaking away from ECOWAS, it signaled how fragile regional unity is when nationalist ambitions overshadow collective security.

While this drama unfolds thousands of miles from America, the implications resonate here at home. The unchecked chaos destabilizing these countries inevitably fuels illegal migration and creates ungoverned zones serving transnational terrorists—conditions that directly threaten American interests abroad and at our borders.

Why Should America Care About African Juntas?

The series of army takeovers since 2020 reflects a pattern where weak civilian institutions fail their citizens amid escalating militant violence. In this vacuum, military rulers exploit nationalism while obstructing democratic processes. Rather than supporting globalist blocs like ECOWAS that have proven ineffective at enforcing stability without coercion, America must advocate for policies strengthening sovereign governance based on rule of law and genuine economic opportunity.

This isn’t merely about foreign policy—it is about defending freedom and security on our own soil. When foreign governments descend into endless coups with allegations against former allies like Damiba, it sends a message: without principled leadership grounded in national sovereignty and real accountability, no nation stays secure—least of all ours.

How long will Washington remain passive while these crises fester? Supporting true reform rather than endorsing transient juntas aligns better with America First values—prioritizing our country’s safety over messy foreign entanglements driven by globalist illusions.