Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa, bordered by Mali, Niger, Benin, Togo, Ghana, and the Ivory Coast. The nation was formerly known as Upper Volta, and its history is deeply intertwined with the history of the region.
Early History
Archaeological evidence suggests that Burkina Faso has been inhabited since the Neolithic era, with early settlements dating back to the 8th century BC. During the medieval period, the Mossi people, a West African ethnic group, established the Mossi Kingdom in the area, which lasted until the late 19th century.
The Mossi Kingdom was a powerful and influential state in the region, and it was able to resist the expansion of the Mali Empire in the 13th century. The Mossi also fought off the Songhai Empire, which had taken control of much of West Africa in the 15th century.
Colonial Period
In the late 19th century, the Mossi Kingdom was conquered by the French and incorporated into French West Africa. The region was renamed Upper Volta, and the French established a system of indirect rule, in which the traditional Mossi rulers retained some power, but were ultimately subject to French authority.
The French also developed the infrastructure of the region, building roads, bridges, and schools. French also introduced Christianity to the region, and the majority of the population is now Christian.
Independence and Post-Independence
In 1960, Upper Volta gained its independence from France, and the country was renamed Burkina Faso. The first president of the nation was Maurice Yaméogo, who was elected in 1960.
Yaméogo’s government was overthrown in 1966 by a military coup led by Sangoulé Lamizana. Lamizana’s rule was marked by economic mismanagement and political repression, and he was overthrown in 1980.
The 1980s saw a period of political instability, with a series of military coups and counter-coups. In 1987, Blaise Compaore, a former military officer, took power in a coup and declared himself president. Compaore’s rule was characterized by economic liberalization and political openness, and he remained in power until 2014.
In 2014, Compaore was overthrown in a popular uprising, and the nation has since been governed by a transitional government. Elections were held in 2015, and the current president is Roch Marc Christian Kaboré.
Burkina Faso is a poor nation, with a per capita GDP of just $1,500. The nation’s economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, and it is one of the poorest countries in the world. Despite this, the nation has made significant progress in recent years, and its economy is growing at a healthy rate.
Burkina Faso is a diverse nation, with more than sixty ethnic groups. The country is predominantly Muslim, and French is the official language. Burkina Faso is a member of the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States, and it is a major regional power in West Africa.