People's Uprising (Burkina Faso)
The People's Uprising in Burkina Faso, which occurred on January 3, 1966, was a significant coup led by Lt. Col. Sangoulé Lamizana. At the time, the country was known as Upper Volta and had recently gained independence from France in 1960. Under the leadership of its first president, Maurice Yaméogo, political repression increased as he banned all political parties except for his own, leading to widespread discontent fueled by ethnic tensions and economic struggles. This unrest culminated in strikes and demonstrations from various sectors, including civil servants, labor unions, and students, ultimately resulting in Yaméogo's ousting. Following the coup, Lamizana dissolved the existing constitution and national assembly, effectively prohibiting all political activity. The political landscape in Burkina Faso, which was renamed from Upper Volta in 1984, has been marked by ongoing instability and a series of political upheavals since that time. The People's Uprising reflects a pivotal moment in the country's struggle for democratic governance and social justice.
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People's Uprising (Burkina Faso)
People's Uprising (Burkina Faso)
A coup popularly known as the People's Uprising was led by Lt. Col. Sangoulé Lamizana in Upper Volta, present-day Burkina Faso, on January 3, 1966. Upper Volta, located in Western Africa, had gained its independence from France on August 5, 1960, and Maurice Yaméogo had become its first president. Yaméogo proceeded to ban all political parties except for his, the Voltaic Democratic Union. Ethnic conflicts and economic instability caused unrest, and Yaméogo found his supporters dwindling. After numerous strikes and demonstrations by civil servants, labor unions, and students, Yaméogo was ousted in the coup headed by Lt. Col. Lamizana in 1966. After he assumed power, Lamizana dissolved the constitution and the national assembly, and prohibited all political activity. Upper Volta, which changed its name to Burkina Faso in 1984, has experienced an almost continuous cycle of political upheaval ever since.