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Roch Marc Christian Kaboré
ZODIAC ELEMENTS
Roch Marc Christian Kaboré is a Burkinabé politician who served as the President of Burkina Faso from December 2015 until January 2022. Born on April 25, 1957, in Ouagadougou, the capital of what was then the Republic of Upper Volta, Kaboré hails from a political family. His father, Charles Bila Kaboré, was a prominent figure in the country's political scene, serving as a government minister during the presidency of Maurice Yaméogo.
Kaboré's early education took place in his homeland, but he later moved to France to pursue higher studies. He graduated from the University of Dijon with a degree in economics and business administration. Upon returning to Burkina Faso, Kaboré entered the banking sector, quickly rising through the ranks to become the director of the International Bank of Burkina Faso (BIB). His professional success in banking laid the foundation for his political career.
Kaboré entered politics in the mid-1980s during the regime of Thomas Sankara, although his significant political rise occurred under Sankara's successor, Blaise Compaoré. Under Compaoré, Kaboré held several high-profile positions, including Minister of Transport and Communication, Minister of Finance and Planning, and eventually Prime Minister from 1994 to 1996. Following his tenure as Prime Minister, he served as President of the National Assembly from 2002 to 2012, playing a crucial role in the country's legislative process.
Kaboré was a close ally of President Blaise Compaoré and a leading figure in the ruling Congress for Democracy and Progress (CDP) party. However, as Compaoré's rule became increasingly autocratic, Kaboré began to distance himself from the president. In 2014, when Compaoré attempted to change the constitution to extend his rule, Kaboré broke away from the CDP and formed his own political party, the People's Movement for Progress (MPP). His defection marked a significant turning point in Burkina Faso's political landscape.
In 2014, following mass protests against Compaoré's attempt to cling to power, Compaoré was forced to resign and flee the country. A transitional government was established, and elections were scheduled for November 2015. Kaboré, as the leader of the MPP, ran for the presidency and won in the first round with 53.5% of the vote. His victory marked the first democratic transfer of power in Burkina Faso's history.
As president, Kaboré faced numerous challenges, including a growing Islamist insurgency in the northern and eastern regions of the country. Despite efforts to improve the security situation, Burkina Faso continued to experience frequent attacks by jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. These attacks led to a humanitarian crisis, with thousands of people displaced and widespread instability in the country. Kaboré's government struggled to regain control over large parts of the territory, leading to growing public dissatisfaction with his handling of the security situation.
In January 2022, Kaboré was ousted in a military coup, led by soldiers who were frustrated with the government's inability to curb the rising violence and restore peace. The coup was part of a broader trend of military takeovers in West Africa at the time, as Burkina Faso joined Mali and Guinea in experiencing unconstitutional changes of government. Following the coup, Kaboré was placed under house arrest, although he was later released.
Kaboré’s presidency was defined by his attempts to consolidate democracy and economic reforms in the face of deepening security challenges. While he managed to maintain Burkina Faso's democratic institutions, his tenure was marred by increasing insecurity and public discontent, culminating in his removal from power.
Reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roch_Marc_Christian_Kabor%C3%A
GOVERNING TIME LINE
Roch Marc Christian Kaboré
Assumed office: December 29, 2015 (elected in democratic elections)
Left office: January 24, 2022 (overthrown in a military coup)