Burkina Faso

A HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION

Formerly known as Upper Volta, Burkina Faso is a landlocked nation in West Africa, spanning an area of approximately 274,200 square kilometers. It is bordered by six countries, including Niger to the east, Mali to the north, Benin to the southeast, Togo to the south, and Ghana to the southwest. It gained independence from France in 1960 and was renamed Burkina Faso in 1984, meaning “Land of the Upright People”.

It is home to about 20 million people, with a high population density in the southern part of the country. A total of sixty different language groups are recognized within the country’s boundaries.

The country is divided into two main regions: the savannah region in the north and the Sudanese zone in the south. High temperatures and low rainfall characterise the savannah region, while the Sudanese zone has a more tropical climate, with relatively high rainfall levels. The country is also home to several rivers, including the Black Volta, the White Volta, and the Red Volta.

Burkina Faso is ethnically diverse with the Mossi being the largest group, comprising roughly 52% of the population. Other significant groups include the Fula (8.4%), Gurma (7%), Bobo (4.9%), Gurunsi (4.6%), Senufo (4.5%), Bissa (3.7%), Lobi (2.4%), Dagara (2.4%), and Tuareg/Bella (1.9%). These groups speak various languages from the Gur and Mande branches of the Niger-Congo language family, as well as Afro-Asiatic languages spoken by the Fulani and Tuareg.

 

Early Origins
The territory that is now Burkina Faso has been inhabited for thousands of years, with a rich mosaic of ethnic groups contributing to its heritage. By the 11th century, the Mossi Kingdoms emerged as dominant powers in the region. Known for their formidable military strength, the Mossi established influential states such as the Kingdom of Ouagadougou, which would later serve as the nation’s capital.

The Mossi political system was highly centralised under the authority of the Mogho Naba (king), who held both political and spiritual leadership. These kingdoms thrived on agriculture, trade, and territorial expansion, engaging with neighbouring peoples such as the Gurunsi, Lobi, and Senufo. For centuries, they successfully resisted conquest, maintaining cultural independence despite ongoing migration and occasional conflict.

Pre-Colonial Period
Before European colonisation, Burkina Faso was characterized by powerful, independent states that dominated the region for centuries.

The Mossi Kingdoms and other local states operated as autonomous entities with well-developed governance systems, economies, and cultural traditions. Societies were structured around agricultural production, regional trade networks, and military defence. The stability of the Mossi allowed them to preserve their authority even during periods of external pressure from expanding empires and raiding groups.

The notable ethnic groups of people in pre-colonial Burkina Faso include the following;

 

 

 

Mossi

The Mossi are the largest ethnic group in Burkina Faso, making up about half of the population. They are descendants of the ancient Mossi kingdoms established between the 11th and 15th centuries. Traditionally farmers, they mainly grow millet, sorghum, and maize. The Mossi society is highly organized under chiefs and kings (Mogho Naba), who still hold great cultural and symbolic influence today.

 

 

Fulani (Peul/Fulbe)

The Fulani are a widespread West African ethnic group known for their nomadic and semi-nomadic pastoral lifestyle, though many have also settled as farmers and traders in Burkina Faso. They are predominantly Muslim and play a key role in cattle herding, dairy production, and regional trade.

 

 

 

Gourmantché

The Gourmantché live mainly in the eastern part of Burkina Faso. They are noted for their farming practices, cultivating millet, sorghum, and peanuts. Culturally, they are known for initiation rites, traditional masks, and rituals linked to their spiritual beliefs.

 

 

 

Bobo

The Bobo are concentrated in the western part of the country, especially around Bobo-Dioulasso. Traditionally farmers, they cultivate cotton and grains. The Bobo are known for their masked dances and strong attachment to animist religious traditions, with rituals that emphasize harmony between humans and nature.

 

 

 

 

 

Lobi
The Lobi, mainly found in the southwest, are traditionally farmers and hunters. They have a reputation for fiercely guarding their independence and resisting centralized authority during the colonial period. Spirit shrines and divination practices are central to their cultural life.

 Sénoufo
The Sénoufo people, also in the southwest, are primarily agriculturalists cultivating yams, millet, and cotton. They are recognized for their intricate wood carvings, masks, and rich musical traditions, which play key roles in initiation and religious ceremonies.

Tuareg
The Tuareg, a Berber-speaking nomadic group, inhabit the northern Sahelian regions of Burkina Faso. Traditionally camel herders and traders, they are closely linked to trans-Saharan trade routes. They are mostly Muslim and have a distinct cultural identity expressed through their language (Tamasheq), dress, and poetry.

However, by the late 19th century, the balance began to shift as European powers intensified their competition for African territories in what became known as the Scramble for Africa.

Colonial Period
The French Conquest

Following the Berlin Conference of 1884–1885, European powers divided Africa into colonial territories with little regard for existing cultural or political boundaries.

 

 

 

 

 

France moved into the region of present-day Burkina Faso, facing strong resistance, especially from the Mossi armies, but by 1896, French forces had subdued the local kingdoms. The area was declared a French protectorate and integrated into the French West Africa federation as part of Upper Senegal and Niger.

Colonial rule introduced a cash-based economy, forced labour, and resource exploitation. France also applied indirect rule, retaining local chiefs to administer communities while serving colonial interests.

 

The Creation of Burkina Faso (Upper Volta)
In 1919, France formed the colony of Upper Volta (Haute-Volta), combining territories from present-day Burkina Faso, Mali, and Côte d’Ivoire. This was intended to improve administrative efficiency and maximise agricultural output, especially in cotton production.

Colonial investment in infrastructure, education, and healthcare was minimal, leaving the population in poverty. Harsh taxation, labour demands, and political exclusion fostered resentment and resistance among the local population.

 

Post-Colonial Period
The Road to Independence

After World War II, the weakening of European colonial powers and the rise of African nationalist movements created momentum for political change.

 

 

In 1947, Upper Volta regained its colonial status after a brief administrative merger with Côte d’Ivoire and was granted a legislative assembly. Local leaders such as Daniel Ouezzin Coulibaly and later Maurice Yaméogo became central figures in the independence movement.

 

 

 

 

 

By 1958, Upper Volta had become an autonomous republic within the French Community. This arrangement was short-lived, and on 5 August 1960, the nation declared full independence with Maurice Yaméogo as its first president.

 

 

 

 

 

Political Instability and Military Rule
Maurice Yaméogo’s presidency was marred by authoritarianism, corruption, and economic hardship. He was forced to resign and was later imprisoned. Originally favouring a pan-Africanist policy, in favour of a West African federation, he eventually dropped these policies in favour of anti-federalism of France.

In 1964, the government strongly restricted the right of workers to organize and outlawed labour strikes, making the strong trade unions its enemies.

In 1966, mass protests and strikes led to a military coup by Colonel Sangoulé Lamizana.

Colonel Aboubakar Sangoulé Lamizana suspended the constitution and dissolved the National Assembly.  He prohibited political party activities.  A new constitution providing for a civilian government and an elected assembly was approved in a referendum with 99 percent of the vote on June 14, 1970.  The new constitution went into effect on June 21, 1970.

The following years saw continued political instability, with successive coups and leadership changes.

 

 

 

Colonel Saye Zerbo

President Aboubakar Sangoulé Lamizana was deposed in a military coup led by Colonel Saye Zerbo on November 25, 1980, and the Military Committee of Recovery for National Progress (Comite Militaire de Redressment pout le Progress National – CMRPN) headed by Colonel Saye Zerbo took control of the government on November 26, 1980.

The CMRPN suspended the 1977 constitution, banned political parties, and dissolved the National Assembly on November 26, 1980.  Colonel Saye Zerbo formed a government as prime minister on December 7, 1980.

Colonel Saye Zerbo was deposed in a military coup on November 6-7, 1982.  The People’s Salvation Council (Conseil du Salut du Peuple – CSP) headed by Major Jean-Baptiste Ouedraogo, took control of the government on November 8, 1982.  Captain Thomas Sankara was appointed as prime minister on January 10, 1983.

Major Ouedraogo was deposed in a military coup led by Captain Thomas Sankara on August 4, 1983.

 

The Sankara Revolution

In 1983, Captain Thomas Sankara came to power through a popular coup, ushering in a radical era of reform. He renamed the country Burkina Faso, meaning “Land of Upright People”, and implemented sweeping policies promoting self-reliance, gender equality, anti-corruption measures, and environmental protection through massive reforestation efforts.

 

Sankara’s vision earned him international recognition as a revolutionary African leader. However, his reforms and challenge to entrenched political interests created powerful opposition. In 1987, he was assassinated in a coup led by his former ally Blaise Compaoré, who went on to rule for nearly three decades.

 

Blaise Compaoré

On October 15, 1987, Blaise Compaoré, Capt. Thomas Sankara’s ally, staged a coup, killing Sankara. He served as the second president of Burkina Faso from 1987 until his government was overthrown in 2014. The longest-serving president in Burkinabé history, Compaoré, previously served as the Minister of Justice from 1985 to 1987.

After taking office, he introduced a policy of ‘rectification’, overturning the leftist policies pursued by Sankara. In 1989, he founded the Organization for Popular Democracy – Labour Movement (ODP–MT), which merged with twelve other political parties to create the Congress for Democracy and Progress (CDP) in 1996.

Compaoré’s attempt to amend the constitution to extend his 27-year term led to an uprising, leaving him to resign and flee to the Ivory Coast.

In April 2022, he was sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment after being found guilty of complicity in Sankara’s murder. Since September 2022, Ibrahim Traoré, a military officer and politician, has served as the interim President of Burkina Faso.