Upper Volta

Abstract

HISTORY. A separate colony of Upper Volta was in 1919 carved out of the colony of Upper Senegal and Niger, which had been established in 1904. It was suppressed in 1932 and its territory divided between lvory Coast, Sudan and Niger. On 4 Sept. 1947 the Territory of Upper Volta was re-established, comprising the area of the old colony of Upper Volta as at 5 Sept. 1932. The Republic of Upper Volta became independent on 5 Aug. 1960 and was admitted to the UN in 1960. On 3 Jan. 1966 the government of Maurice Yameogo was overthrown by a military coup led by Lieut-Col. Sangoulé Lamizana, who assumed the Presidency. Constitutional rule was resumed on 21 June 1970 but suspended from 8 Feb. 1974 until May 1978. In a further coup on 25 Nov. 1980, President Lamizana was overthrown and a Military Committee for National Recovery and Progress assumed power under Col. Saye Zerbo.