The Republic of Upper Volta (), now Burkina Faso, was a landlocked West African country established on December 11 , 1958 as a self-governing colony within the French Community. Before attaining autonomy it had been French Upper Volta and part of the French Union. On August 5 , 1960, it attained full independence from France. On August 4 , 1984, it changed its name to Burkina Faso. History Upper Volta obtained independence on August 5 , 1960. The first president of the country, Maurice Yaméogo, is at the head of the Alliance for Democracy and the Federation / African Democratic Rally. The 1960 Constitution establishes the election by direct universal suffrage of the President and the National Assembly for a term of five years. Shortly after coming to power, Yaméogo banned all political parties other than the Alliance for Democracy. Thomas Sankara came to power through a military coup d'état on August 4 , 1983. After the coup, he formed the National Council for the Revolution (CNR), with himself as president. Under the direction of Sankara, the country changed its name on August 4 , 1984, from Upper Volta to Burkina Faso, which means "Land of Incorruptible People". Policy From 1958 to 1960, the Republic of Upper Volta was led by a High Commissioner: Max Berthet ( December 11 , 1958 to February 1959), Paul Masson (February 1959 to August 5 , 1960). From 1971 to 1987, the Republic of Upper Volta was led by a Prime Minister: Gérard Kango Ouedraogo ( February 13 , 1971, to February  8 , 1974) Thomas Sankara ( August 4 , 1983 , to October 14 , 1987)
The Republic of Upper Volta (), now Burkina Faso, was a landlocked West African country established on 11 December 1958 as a self-governing colony within the French Community. Before attaining autonomy it had been French Upper Volta and part of the French Union. On 5 August 1960, it attained full independence from France. On 4 August 1984, it changed its name to Burkina Faso. History Upper Volta obtained independence on 5 August 1960. The first president of the country, Maurice Yaméogo, is at the head of the Alliance for Democracy and the Federation / African Democratic Rally. The 1960 Constitution establishes the election by direct universal suffrage of the President and the National Assembly for a term of five years. Shortly after coming to power, Yaméogo banned all political parties other than the Alliance for Democracy. Thomas Sankara came to power through a military coup d'état on 4 August 1983. After the coup, he formed the National Council for the Revolution (CNR), with himself as president. Under the direction of Sankara, the country changed its name on 4 August 1984, from Upper Volta to Burkina Faso, which means "Land of Incorruptible People". Policy From 1958 to 1960, the Republic of Upper Volta was led by a High Commissioner: Max Berthet ( 11 December 1958 to February 1959), Paul Masson (February 1959 to 5 August 1960). From 1971 to 1987, the Republic of Upper Volta was led by a Prime Minister: Gérard Kango Ouedraogo ( 13 February 1971 to 8 February 1974) Thomas Sankara ( 4 August 1983 to 14 October 1987)
D
December
R
,
December
D
August
R
,
August
D
August
R
,
August
D
August
R
,
August
D
August
R
,
August
D
August
R
,
August
D
December
R
,
December
D
August
R
,
August
D
February
D
, 1971, to
A
1971 to
R
,
February
D
August
R
,
August
R
, to October
to
R
,
October