In this edition we are tackling two stories that sit at the very heart of the West African struggle for stable governance and the rule of law. First, we look at Burkina Faso, where the extradition of former leader Paul-Henri Damiba from Togo has sparked a massive debate: Is this a victory for justice, or a strategic move in a larger political game? And in our second conversation, we turn our gaze to Benin Republic. A country once hailed as a “beacon of democracy” is facing a new reality—a legislature entirely devoid of an opposition. What does this mean for checks and balances?