List of heads of state of Burkina Faso facts for kids

Quick facts for kids President of Burkina Faso
Presidential Standard
Incumbent Ibrahim Traoré (Interim) since 30 September 2022
Style	Mr. President (informal) His Excellency (diplomatic)
Residence	Kosyam Palace
Seat	Ouagadougou
Appointer	Direct popular vote
Term length	Five years, renewable once
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Burkina Faso
Inaugural holder	Maurice Yaméogo (as President of Vpper Volta) Thomas Sankara (as President of Burkina Faso)
Formation	5 August 1960; 64 years ago (1960-08-05) (as President of Upper Volta) 4 August 1984; 40 years ago (1984-08-04) (as President of Burkina Faso)
Succession	President of the National Assembly
Salary	858,399 FCFA annually including allowances
Website	https://www.presidencedufaso.bf/

The President of Burkina Faso is the main leader of the country. This person is the head of state, which means they are the top representative of Burkina Faso. They are also the commander-in-chief of the country's armed forces. This is the most important job in Burkina Faso. The president has a lot of power to make decisions. They choose the prime minister and other government officials. They can also end parliament meetings and make special rules called decrees.

This important job started in August 1960. Back then, the country was called Upper Volta. It had just become independent from France. Maurice Yaméogo was the first president. On August 4, 1984, the country changed its name to Burkina Faso. Thomas Sankara, who was president at the time, became the first President of Burkina Faso.

So far, seven people have officially served as president. This count does not include leaders who were in charge for a short time during changes in government.

The current interim president is Captain Ibrahim Traoré. He took power on September 30, 2022, during a change in government.

How the President is Chosen

The president is chosen by the people in an election. They serve for five years. The country's constitution was changed in 2000. It says a president can only serve two terms. However, no president has reached this limit yet.

Past Titles of the President

Over the years, the title for the leader of Burkina Faso has changed several times:

• 1960–1980: President of the Republic
• 1980–1982: President of Military Committee of Recovery for National Progress
• 1982: Chairman of Provisional Committee of Popular Salvation
• 1982–1983: Head of State
• 1983–1987: Chairman of National Revolutionary Council and Head of State
• 1987–1991: President of Popular Front and Head of State
• 1991–2014: President of the Republic
• 2015: Chairman of National Council for Democracy
• 2015–2022: President of the Republic
• 2022–present: President of the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration
• 2022–present: President of the Republic

Who Has Been President?

Here is a list of the people who have served as president of Upper Volta and Burkina Faso.

Political parties

     Voltaic Democratic Union – African Democratic Rally (UDV–RDA)      Popular Front (FP)      Organization for Popular Democracy – Labour Movement (ODP–MT)      Congress for Democracy and Progress (CDP)      People's Movement for Progress (MPP)

Other groups

     Military      Independent

Status

     Transitional Leader      Acting Leader (disputed)

No.	Picture	Name (Born–Died)	Elected	Time in Office			Political Group		Prime Minister(s)
				Started	Ended	Length of Time
Republic of Upper Volta
1		Maurice Yaméogo (1921–1993)	1959 1965	5 August 1960	3 January 1966 (removed from power)	5 years, 151 days		UDV–RDA	No position yet
2		Sangoulé Lamizana (1916–2005)	1978	3 January 1966	25 November 1980 (removed from power)	14 years, 327 days		Military / Independent	Ouédraogo Himself Conombo
3		Saye Zerbo (1932–2013)	—	25 November 1980	7 November 1982 (removed from power)	1 year, 347 days		Military	Himself
4		Jean-Baptiste Ouédraogo (born 1942)	—	8 November 1982	4 August 1983 (removed from power)	269 days		Military	Sankara
5		Thomas Sankara (1949–1987)	—	4 August 1983	4 August 1984	1 year		Military	Position ended
Burkina Faso
(5)		Thomas Sankara (1949–1987)	—	4 August 1984	15 October 1987 (killed)	3 years, 72 days		Military	Position ended
6		Blaise Compaoré (born 1951)	1991 1998 2005 2010	15 October 1987	31 October 2014 (stepped down)	27 years, 16 days		Military / FP ODP–MT / CDP	Y. Ouédraogo Kaboré K. D. Ouédraogo Yonli Zongo Tiao
–		Honoré Traoré (born 1957) claimed power	—	31 October 2014	1 November 2014	1 day		Military	Position empty
–		Yacouba Isaac Zida (born 1965)	—	1 November 2014	18 November 2014	17 days		Military (RSP)	Position empty
–		Michel Kafando (born 1942)	—	18 November 2014	17 September 2015 (removed from power)	303 days		Independent	Zida
–		Gilbert Diendéré (born c. 1960)	—	17 September 2015	23 September 2015 (group ended)	6 days		Military (RSP)	Position empty
–		Chérif Sy (born 1960)	—	17 September 2015	23 September 2015	6 days		Independent	Position empty
–		Michel Kafando (born 1942)	—	23 September 2015 (returned to power)	29 December 2015	97 days		Independent	Zida
7		Roch Marc Christian Kaboré (born 1957)	2015 2020	29 December 2015	24 January 2022 (removed from power)	6 years, 26 days		MPP	Thieba Dabiré L. Zerbo
–		Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba (born 1981)	–	24 January 2022	30 September 2022 (removed from power)	249 days		Military	Ouédraogo
–		Ibrahim Traoré (born 1988)	–	30 September 2022	Incumbent	2 years, 304 days		Military	Tambèla J. E. Ouédraogo

Timeline of Presidents

Recent Elections

To learn more about how the most recent president was chosen, you can visit the article about the 2020 Burkinabé general election. 2020 Burkinabé general election

More to Explore

• Politics of Burkina Faso
• List of prime ministers of Burkina Faso
• List of colonial governors of French Upper Volta