Burkina Faso: Yameogo, Lamizana and Sankara (1932-1987)

In 1932, the French divided the colony into Mali, Niger and the Ivory Coast but by 1947 they reunited the colony. However, by then there was a growing anti-colonial movement. The movement was led by the African Democratic Assembly (RDA) and the Voltic Union (UDV). Maurice Yameogo united the two parties in 1958. The unified party won 64 of 75 seats in the election of 1959. Maurice Yameogo became President of the Upper Volta a year after the election and won reelection in 1965.

In 1966, Yameogo was forced out and succeeded by Lieutenant Colonel Sangoule Lamizana. Yameogo was imprisoned for embezzlement while the military government installed a civilian cabinet. When the military agreed to a return to civilian rule in 1978, the old RDA/UDV won a majority of the seats in the legislature. Lamizana won the Presidential election the following year but was toppled by Colonel Saye Zerbo in 1980. Under his leadership the cabinet was composed of both military and civilian officials.

In 1982, a coup led by lower ranking army officials; Jean Baptiste Ouedraogo, a medical doctor and Captain Thomas Sankara took over power. Sankara eventually became leader in 1983. Sankara installed a National Revolutionary Council (CNR). He also created Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDRs) which took over the functions of town councils and traditional chiefs. The committees were tasked with leading trials for former government officials.

It was Sankara who changed the name of the country from Upper Volta to Burkina Faso, the land of incorruptible men. During his tenure he released most political prisoners but curbed the power of unions. He was eventually assassinated by Captain Blaise Campaore, his chief lieutenant.