The president of Burkina Faso (French: Président du Burkina Faso) is the head of state of Burkina Faso as well as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. It is the highest office in Burkina Faso and has significant executive power, including appointing the prime minister and other government officials. The president also has the power to dissolve parliament and issue decrees.
The office was first established in August 1960 as president of Upper Volta (French: Président du Haute-Volta) after the country gained independence from France. Maurice Yaméogo was the first holder of that office. On 4 August 1984, the day before the 24th anniversary of independence, Thomas Sankara, who was the president from exactly one year earlier, became the president of Burkina Faso after the country changed its name the same day.
A total of seven people have served as president of Upper Volta/Burkina Faso (not counting four transitional heads of state/presidents and one acting president in rebellion).
The current interim president is Capt. Ibrahim Traoré, who took power during a coup d'état on 30 September 2022.
Contents
Term of office
The president is elected directly to a five-year term. Following amendments in the constitution in 2000, the president should serve no more than two terms even though the term limit has not been met by any president yet.
Titles
1960–1980: President of the Republic
1980–1982: President of Military Committee of Recovery for National Progress
1982: Chairman of Provisional Committee of Popular Salvation
1982–1983: Head of State
1983–1987: Chairman of National Revolutionary Council and Head of State
1987–1991: President of Popular Front and Head of State
1991–2014: President of the Republic
2015: Chairman of National Council for Democracy
2015–present: President of the Republic
2022–present: President of the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration
List of officeholders
Political parties
Other factions
Status