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Jean-Baptiste Ouédraogo

ZODIAC ELEMENTS

Jean-Baptiste Philippe Ouédraogo is a prominent figure in the history of Burkina Faso, formerly known as Upper Volta. Born on July 30, 1942, in Kaya, Burkina Faso, he is a military officer and physician who briefly served as the head of state of Upper Volta following a military coup. He rose to power during a turbulent period marked by social and political unrest, playing a key role in shaping the country's political landscape at a time of transition.


Ouédraogo trained as a physician and later became a military doctor, which earned him respect and prominence within the military ranks. His medical background and involvement in the armed forces allowed him to gain influence, and in 1982, he became a key figure in a group of young military officers discontented with the government of Colonel Saye Zerbo, who had been in power since 1980. Ouédraogo and his comrades, including Captain Thomas Sankara, orchestrated a coup in November 1982, overthrowing Zerbo and installing Ouédraogo as the head of the military junta. He became the President of the Council of Popular Salvation, effectively taking control of the country on November 7, 1982.


Though Ouédraogo initially appeared to support progressive reform, his tenure as the leader of Upper Volta was relatively brief and marked by internal power struggles. One of the key points of tension was between Ouédraogo and his deputy, Thomas Sankara, a charismatic revolutionary who advocated for radical changes and stronger anti-imperialist policies. The ideological differences between Ouédraogo, who favored more moderate policies, and Sankara, who was seen as more left-leaning and populist, led to significant political friction.


In August 1983, after less than a year in power, Ouédraogo's presidency came to an abrupt end when a faction led by Sankara and Blaise Compaoré staged a coup, overthrowing Ouédraogo’s government. Sankara subsequently took over as president, ushering in a new era of revolutionary change in Burkina Faso, including renaming the country and implementing extensive social and economic reforms.


Following his ouster, Ouédraogo largely withdrew from politics and returned to his medical career. Despite his brief rule, he remains an important figure in Burkina Faso's modern history, as his leadership period set the stage for the revolutionary government that followed under Sankara.


REFERENCE:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Baptiste_Ou%C3%A9draogo

GOVERNING TIME LINE

Jean-Baptiste Ouédraogo

Assumed office: November 7, 1982 (military coup)

Left office: August 4, 1983 (overthrown in a coup by Thomas Sankara)

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