Blaise Compaoré
Blaise Compaoré (born February 3, 1951[1][2]) is a former President of Burkina Faso. He served from 1987 until his resignation in 2014. He started a political party called the Congress for Democracy and Progress (CDP). This is the ruling party of Burkina Faso. Compaoré became president in 1987 after a military coup and the assassination of Thomas Sankara, who was president then.
Blaise Compaoré | |
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President of Burkina Faso | |
In office 15 October 1987 – 31 October 2014 | |
Prime Minister | Youssouf Ouédraogo Roch Marc Christian Kaboré Kadré Désiré Ouedraogo Tertius Zongo |
Preceded by | Thomas Sankara |
Succeeded by | Honoré Traoré (acting) |
Personal details | |
Born | Ouagadougou, Upper Volta | 3 February 1951
Nationality | Burkinabé |
Political party | CDP |
Spouse(s) | Chantal Compaoré |
His attempt to change the constitution to extend his 27-year term caused the 2014 Burkinabé uprising. The uprising began due to attempts at changing the constitution to allow him to run again and extend his rule. He resigned on 31 October 2014 after ruling for 27 years.
In August 2021, the prosecutor of the High Court of Justice announced that the trial of members of the government suspected of having played a role in the suppression of the insurgency of 2014 will begin. Blaise Compaoré could again be summoned to answer the judges' questions.
References
change- ↑ Profiles of People in Power: The World's Government Leaders (2003), page 76–77.
- ↑ "Biographie du président" Archived 2010-01-01 at the Wayback Machine, website of the Presidency (in French).