Blaise Compaoré
| Blaise Compaoré | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| President of Burkina Faso | |
|
In office 15 October 1987 – 31 October 2014 |
|
| Prime Minister |
Youssouf Ouédraogo Roch Marc Christian Kaboré Kadré Désiré Ouedraogo Paramanga Ernest Yonli Tertius Zongo Luc-Adolphe Tiao |
| Preceded by | Thomas Sankara |
| Succeeded by | Isaac Zida (as Transitional Head of State) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
3 February 1951 Ziniaré, Upper Volta |
| Citizenship | Ivorian (2016–) |
| Political party | Congress for Democracy and Progress |
| Spouse(s) | Chantal de Fougères |
| Relations | François (brother) |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
| Nickname(s) | Handsome Blaise |
| Website | Blaise Compaoré on Twitter |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 Republic of Upper Volta Burkina Faso
|
| Rank | Captain |
Blaise Compaoré (born 3 February 1951) is a Burkinabé politician who was president of Burkina Faso from 1987 to 2014. He was a top associate of President Thomas Sankara during the 1980s, and in October 1987, he led a coup d'état during which Sankara was killed. Subsequently, he introduced a policy of "rectification", overturning the Marxist policies pursued by Sankara. He won elections in 1991, 1998, 2005, and 2010 in what were considered unfair circumstances. His attempt to amend the constitution to extend his 27-year term caused the 2014 Burkinabé uprising. On 31 October 2014, Compaoré resigned, whereupon he fled to the Ivory Coast.
Compaoré was born in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso (then named Upper Volta) and grew up in nearby Ziniaré. He reached the rank of captain in the Voltaïc army. Compaoré met Thomas Sankara in 1976 in a military training center in Morocco, and subsequently Compaoré and Sankara were considered close friends. Compaoré played a major role in the coups d'état against Saye Zerbo and Jean-Baptiste Ouedraogo. He has been married to Chantal Compaoré (née Chantal Terrasson) since 1985.
Under Sankara's leadership, which lasted from 1983 to 1987, Compaoré was his deputy and was a member of the National Revolutionary Council. He served as Minister of State at the Presidency and subsequently as Minister of State for Justice.
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