20, January 2026
Former President Damiba extradited to Burkina Faso 0
Togo has arrested and extradited Burkina Faso’s former leader to his home country, after authorities in Ouagadougou accused him of plotting to kill his successor.
Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba – who came to power in a coup in 2022 before himself being overthrown by Ibrahim Traoré eight months later – is accused by the current regime of masterminding an assassination attempt against Traoré.
According to the Togolese justice ministry, Damiba was handed over to the Burkinabè authorities on Saturday.
It says as part of the deal, Burkina Faso promised to ensure “physical integrity, dignity and fair‑trial rights of Mr Paul‑Henri Sandaogo Damiba, and the absence of the death penalty”.
Among the charges levelled at Damiba by Burkina Faso’s military government are “criminal embezzlement of public funds, illicit enrichment, corruption, aggravated receiving of stolen goods and money laundering”, said Togo’s justice ministry in a statement.
No comments from Damiba on the charges have been reported and neither have the BBC’s calls to him been picked up.
Most serious are the murder plot allegations.
Earlier this month, Burkina Faso’s Security Minister Mahamadou Sana announced on state television that security forces had foiled a planned series of targeted assassinations aimed at destabilising the state, including what he called the “neutralisation” of Traoré.
Officials in Ouagadougou have repeatedly accused Damiba of orchestrating plots from exile. In late 2024, he was again named publicly as the head of what authorities described as the “military wing” of a broader conspiracy.
Damiba first seized power in January 2022, toppling the elected government of Roch Marc Christian Kaboré amid frustration over the state’s failure to curb Islamist violence.
But after just eight months, he was himself overthrown by Traoré, then a 34‑year‑old artillery officer who accused him of failing to deliver security improvements.
Since then, the Traoré-led junta has tightened its grip on the country, expelling French forces, adopting an assertive nationalist stance and recently reinstating the death penalty, including for crimes of high treason.
Despite promises to restore order, Burkina Faso remains mired in one of the world’s most severe security crises, with militant jihadist attacks continuing across large parts of the country.
The return of Damiba to Burkina Faso, under arrest and possibly facing a long list of criminal charges, is expected to escalate tensions within the military and political establishment.
Political observers suggest that repeated accusations, foiled plots and widening divisions within the armed forces will likely lead to questions about the stability of a government still confronting both a brutal insurgency and internal rivalries.
Source: BBC
26, January 2026
Football: Senegalese national killed in Morocco after AFCON final 0
A Senegalese national has been killed in Morocco following the Africa Cup of Nations final, according to a report by Senegalese journalist Lala Rassoul, prompting shock and calls for justice within the Senegalese community.
The journalist said the victim, identified as Charles Diouf, was attacked by unknown individuals after the conclusion of the final match.
He sustained multiple stab wounds from a bladed weapon and later died from his injuries. No further details were immediately available about the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Lala Rassoul explained that the incident took place under conditions that remain unclear and are now the subject of official investigations.
The competent authorities are expected to determine how the events unfolded and to identify those responsible for the killing.
The death has cast a shadow over the aftermath of the Africa Cup of Nations final, which had drawn large crowds and intense emotions.
While celebrations and gatherings followed the match, the reported killing has shifted focus to concerns over safety and accountability.
Members of the Senegalese community expressed deep sadness and disbelief at the news.
Many have called for a thorough and transparent investigation, urging authorities to establish the facts and ensure that those involved are brought to justice.
The case has resonated widely among Senegalese supporters and expatriates, who described the incident as a devastating loss.
The journalist’s account underscored the uncertainty that continues to surround the case, noting that official findings will be crucial in clarifying what happened.
Until investigators conclude their work, questions remain about the motive for the attack and the identity of the assailants.
As the investigation proceeds, the incident has highlighted the profound impact such acts can have beyond the immediate tragedy, affecting communities already processing the emotional intensity of a major sporting event.
For many Senegalese, the focus has shifted from the outcome of the final to mourning a compatriot and seeking answers.
Authorities have yet to release further information, and no arrests have been announced.
The Senegalese community continues to await developments, emphasizing the need for clarity, justice and accountability in the wake of the reported killing.
Source: Africa Soccer