Blaise Compaoré

Blaise Compaoré
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Name	Blaise Compaoré
Order	3rd
Office	President of Burkina Faso
Term start	1987
Term end	2014
Predecessor	Thomas Sankara
Successor	Michel Kafando

Blaise Compaoré is a Burkinabé politician who served as the President of Burkina Faso from 1987 to 2014, following the assassination of Thomas Sankara in a coup d'état backed by France and supported by Ivory Coast and Liberia. Compaoré's presidency was marked by his involvement in regional West African politics, including the Sierra Leone Civil War and the Liberian Civil War, where he supported Charles Taylor and the National Patriotic Front of Liberia. Compaoré's rule was also characterized by his relationships with international leaders, such as François Mitterrand and Jacques Chirac of France, and his participation in regional organizations like the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union. Compaoré's presidency was influenced by his interactions with other African leaders, including Muammar Gaddafi of Libya and Laurent Gbagbo of Ivory Coast.

● Early Life and Education

Blaise Compaoré was born in Ouagadougou, Upper Volta, to a family of Mossi ethnicity, and was educated at the University of Ouagadougou and the École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr in France. Compaoré's early life was influenced by his experiences in the Burkinabé Army, where he was trained by French military instructors and later became a close ally of Thomas Sankara, who would later become the President of Burkina Faso. Compaoré's education and military training were shaped by his interactions with international institutions, including the United Nations and the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie. Compaoré's relationships with other African leaders, such as Houphouët-Boigny of Ivory Coast and Sékou Touré of Guinea, also played a significant role in his early life and education.

● Rise to Power

Compaoré's rise to power began in the 1980s, when he became a key figure in the Burkinabé Army and a close ally of Thomas Sankara, who had seized power in a coup d'état in 1983. Compaoré's involvement in regional politics, including the Western Sahara conflict and the Chadian-Libyan conflict, helped to establish him as a major player in West African politics. Compaoré's relationships with international leaders, such as Fidel Castro of Cuba and Mengistu Haile Mariam of Ethiopia, also contributed to his rise to power. Compaoré's participation in regional organizations, including the Non-Aligned Movement and the Organisation of African Unity, further solidified his position as a major figure in African politics.

● Presidency

Compaoré's presidency was marked by his involvement in regional conflicts, including the Sierra Leone Civil War and the Liberian Civil War, where he supported Charles Taylor and the National Patriotic Front of Liberia. Compaoré's rule was also characterized by his relationships with international leaders, such as Bill Clinton and George W. Bush of the United States, and his participation in regional organizations like the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union. Compaoré's presidency was influenced by his interactions with other African leaders, including Nelson Mandela of South Africa and Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria. Compaoré's relationships with international institutions, including the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, also played a significant role in his presidency.

● Exile and Trial

In 2014, Compaoré was forced into exile after a popular uprising against his rule, which was supported by the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States. Compaoré fled to Ivory Coast, where he was granted asylum by Alassane Ouattara, the President of Ivory Coast. Compaoré's trial for his role in the assassination of Thomas Sankara and other crimes began in 2021, with the Burkinabé government seeking his extradition from Ivory Coast. Compaoré's trial is being closely watched by international organizations, including the United Nations and the International Criminal Court, and by regional leaders, including Macky Sall of Senegal and Alpha Condé of Guinea.

● Personal Life

Compaoré is married to Chantal Compaoré, a Burkinabé businesswoman, and has several children. Compaoré's personal life has been influenced by his relationships with other African leaders, including Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of the Congo and Paul Biya of Cameroon. Compaoré's interactions with international institutions, including the World Health Organization and the United Nations Development Programme, have also played a significant role in his personal life. Compaoré's experiences in exile, including his time in Ivory Coast and his interactions with Alassane Ouattara, have further shaped his personal life and relationships with other African leaders.