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Blaise Compaore

Blaise Compaoré
Portrait smlr.jpg
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 (1951-02-03) 3 February 1951 (age 66)
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 Flag of Upper Volta.svg Republic of Upper Volta
Flag of Burkina Faso.svg 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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