Blaise Compaoré facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Blaise Compaoré
|
|
|---|---|
Compaoré in 2014 at the White House
|
|
| 2nd President of Burkina Faso | |
| In office 15 October 1987 – 31 October 2014 |
|
| Prime Minister |
|
| Preceded by | Thomas Sankara |
| Succeeded by | Honoré Traoré (as transitional head of state) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 3 February 1951 Ziniaré, Upper Volta, French West Africa |
| Citizenship |
|
| Political party | Congress for Democracy and Progress |
| Spouse |
Chantal Terrasson de Fougères
(m. 1985) |
| Relations | François (brother) |
| Nickname(s) | Handsome Blaise |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
|
| Rank | Captain |
| Battles/wars | Agacher Strip War |
Blaise Compaoré (born 3 February 1951) is a former politician from Burkina Faso. He was the second president of Burkina Faso, serving from 1987 to 2014. He was a close friend of the first president, Thomas Sankara. In October 1987, Compaoré led a change in government where Sankara was killed.
After taking power, Compaoré changed many of Sankara's policies. He won several elections in 1991, 1998, 2005, and 2010. Many people thought these elections were not fair. In 2014, he tried to change the country's rules to stay in power longer. This led to big protests across the country. On October 31, 2014, Compaoré resigned and left for the Ivory Coast. He was the longest-serving president of Burkina Faso.
Contents
Early Life and Military Career
Blaise Compaoré was born in Ziniaré, a town in what was then called French Upper Volta, on February 3, 1951. His father had served in the military during World War II. Blaise went to a Catholic school and then a high school in Ouagadougou.
When he was 15, his mother passed away. His father died a few years later. After this, Compaoré became very close to the family of Thomas Sankara. Sankara's father treated Blaise like his own son.
After high school, Compaoré joined the military. He decided to make it his career. He continued his studies at a military academy in Cameroon. There, he met other important people like Henri Zongo. Later, he met Thomas Sankara, and they became close friends.
Compaoré played a big part in removing previous leaders, Saye Zerbo and Jean-Baptiste Ouedraogo, from power. He married Chantal Compaoré in 1985.
Under Sankara's leadership, from 1983 to 1987, Compaoré was his deputy. He also served as a minister in the government.
Becoming President of Burkina Faso
Compaoré was involved in the changes of government in 1983 and 1987. He took power after the 1987 event, where his friend Sankara was killed. He was then elected president in 1991. The main opposition parties did not take part in this election. He was re-elected in 1998, 2005, and 2010.
The 1983 Change in Government
On August 4, 1983, Compaoré helped organize a change in government. This event removed Major Jean-Baptiste Ouedraogo from power. Libya supported this change. Other key people involved were Captain Henri Zongo and Captain Thomas Sankara. Sankara was then named President.
During a border conflict with Mali in December 1985, Compaoré led soldiers. They used special tactics against Malian tanks.
The 1987 Change in Government
Compaoré took power on October 15, 1987. This was when Sankara was killed. The reason given for this change was problems with France and the Ivory Coast. Compaoré said Sankara's death was an "accident." However, the details were never fully investigated.
After becoming president, he changed many of Sankara's policies. He said his new policies would "correct" the country's direction. At first, he ruled with Henri Zongo and Jean-Baptiste Boukary Lingani. But in September 1989, these two were arrested. They were accused of planning to overthrow the government. They were quickly tried and executed.
First Years and the 1990s
In October 1987, Compaoré and others started a new political party. It was called the Popular Front. He promised to continue the country's goals. But he wanted to fix policies he thought were wrong.
In September 1989, there were rumors of plots against Compaoré's government. This happened while he was returning from a trip to Asia. People accused of plotting were arrested that same day. This event led Compaoré to reorganize the government.
In 1990, Compaoré made some small democratic changes. In June 1991, he announced that Burkina Faso would get a new constitution.
During the 1990s, Compaoré supported rebel groups in Sierra Leone. This was during their civil war. That war caused many deaths and lasted for 11 years.
Compaoré was re-elected president in 1998. Between 1998 and 1999, there were many protests in Burkina Faso. People were upset about economic problems. Protesters destroyed some government buildings. These events were a big challenge for Compaoré's government.
The 2000s
Compaoré agreed to work with the United Nations. This was after claims that his government was involved in smuggling weapons. These weapons were said to go to rebels in Sierra Leone and Angola. He met with leaders from Germany, France, and the European Union. They talked about concerns that Burkina Faso had broken rules about weapons.
In 2003, several people were arrested. They were accused of planning to overthrow Compaoré. A trial happened in April 2004, and they were found guilty. Many people gathered outside the court to support those accused.
In August 2005, Compaoré said he wanted to run for president again. Some politicians said this was against the country's rules. A rule from 2000 limited a president to two terms. But in October 2005, a council decided that the rule did not apply to Compaoré yet. This allowed him to run in the 2005 election.
On November 13, 2005, Compaoré was re-elected president. He won with over 80% of the votes. He was sworn in for his new term on December 20, 2005.
In 2008, many protests happened because of high living costs. People wanted higher wages. Compaoré responded by stopping taxes on food for six months. He also increased money for water and electricity.
Spanish Hostages In November 2009, two aid workers from Spain were taken. A search began to find them. It was later found that Blaise Compaoré paid a ransom for their release. The hostages thanked him for helping them.
Final Years in Power (2010-2014)
_(9035557678).jpg)
President Compaoré announced a new Senate. It would have 89 members. He would choose 29 of these senators himself. Local politicians would choose the rest.
2011 Protests
On April 14, 2011, Compaoré reportedly left the capital city, Ouagadougou. This happened after military guards started a revolt. They were upset about not being paid. Their actions spread to the presidential area and other army bases. Gunfire was heard at the presidential compound. Soldiers also took things from shops in the city.
2014 Uprising
In June 2014, Compaoré's political party, the Congress for Democracy and Progress, asked him to hold a vote. This vote would allow him to change the country's rules. This would let him run for president again in 2015. Otherwise, he would have to step down.
On October 30, 2014, the National Assembly was going to discuss this change. People who were against it protested. They stormed the parliament building in Ouagadougou. They started fires inside and took things from offices. Smoke was seen coming from the building.
Compaoré reacted by stopping the proposed changes. He dissolved the government and declared a state of emergency. He offered to work with the opposition. Later that day, the military announced it would set up a temporary government. They said the National Assembly was dissolved.
On October 31, Compaoré announced he had left the presidency. He called for a "free and transparent" election within 90 days. A military officer then took over as temporary head of state. Compaoré then left for the Ivory Coast.
A week later, Compaoré said that some of the opposition worked with the army to remove him. He said that "history will tell us if they were right."
The next president who stayed in office for a longer time after Blaise Compaoré was Roch Marc Christian Kaboré. He took office on December 29, 2015.
International Role
Compaoré was active in helping solve problems in the region. In 2006, he helped mediate talks in Togo. This led to an agreement between the government and opposition parties. He also helped with the crisis in the Ivory Coast. He helped create a peace agreement there in 2007. In 2012, he helped with talks about the conflict in Mali.
In 2014, the BBC noted that he was a strong ally to France and the United States in the region. He used his connections to help Western countries fight against extremist groups in the Sahel region.
He also served on an international board that worked against cyber threats.
Legal Verdict
In April 2021, a military court in Burkina Faso charged Compaoré. He was accused of being involved in the 1987 killing of Thomas Sankara. Another trial against him began in October 2021. In April 2022, he was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison.
Honors
Guinea:
Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit (July 17, 2014)
Mali:
Grand Cross of the National Order of Mali (August 2013)
Taiwan:
Grand Cordon of the Order of Brilliant Jade (July 1994)
.png){kind=small}
_-_ribbon_bar.gif){kind=small}
Images for kids
-
Blaise Compaoré's signature.
See also
In Spanish: Blaise Compaoré para niños
