List of Presidents of Burkina Faso: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Burkina Faso from 1966 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Burkina Faso, former presidents, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Burkina Faso: Ibrahim Traoré (in office since 2022).

Presidents of Burkina Faso in order, with years in office

Sangoulé Lamizana

Served: 1966–1980

Army chief who took power in January 1966 and ruled until he was deposed in November 1980.

Saye Zerbo

Served: 1980–1982

Took power in a coup in 1980 and was deposed in November 1982.

Jean-Baptiste Ouédraogo

Served: 1982–1983

Military doctor who led the country for 268 days before being deposed in August 1983.

Thomas Sankara

Served: 1983–1987

Took power in August 1983, renamed the country Burkina Faso in 1984, and was assassinated on 15 October 1987.

Blaise Compaoré

Served: 1987–2014

Ruled for 27 years and resigned on 31 October 2014 after mass protests.

Michel Kafando

Served: 2014–2015

Diplomat who led the civilian transition; briefly removed in a coup in September 2015 and restored on 23 September.

Gilbert Diendéré

Served: 2015

Led the September 2015 coup and stepped down after six days.

Roch Marc Christian Kaboré

Served: 2015–2022

Elected in 2015 and re-elected in 2020; deposed in a coup on 24 January 2022.

Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba

Served: 2022

Lieutenant-colonel who deposed Kaboré in January 2022 and was himself deposed in September 2022.

Ibrahim Traoré

Served: 2022–present

Army captain who took power on 30 September 2022 and serves as interim president.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Burkina Faso

Who is the current president of Burkina Faso?

The current head of state of Burkina Faso is Ibrahim Traoré, in office since 2022.

Who were the previous presidents of Burkina Faso?

The presidents and heads of state of Burkina Faso listed on this page, in order, are: Sangoulé Lamizana, Saye Zerbo, Jean-Baptiste Ouédraogo, Thomas Sankara, Blaise Compaoré, Michel Kafando, Gilbert Diendéré, Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, Ibrahim Traoré.

Sources: Wikipedia, List of heads of state of Burkina Faso (checked Nov 2026). Includes transitional and military heads of state; a claimant who held office for about a day in October 2014 is not listed.. Last reviewed November 2026.

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