Republic of Upper Volta

Republic of Upper Volta
République de Haute-Volta (French)
1958–1984
Motto: "Unité  Travail  Justice" (in French)
"Unity  Work  Justice"
Anthem: Hymne National Voltaïque
StatusSelf-governing colony (until 1960)
Sovereign state (since 1960)
CapitalOuagadougou
Common languages
Religion
Demonym(s)Upper Voltan
GovernmentOne-party presidential republic (1960–1966)
Corporatist state under a military dictatorship (1966–1980)
Military dictatorship (1980–1983)
Marxist-Leninist military dictatorship (1983–1984)
President 
 1959–1966
Maurice Yaméogo
 1966–1980
Sangoulé Lamizana
 1980–1982
Saye Zerbo
 1982–1983
Jean-Baptiste Ouédraogo
 1983–1984
Thomas Sankara
High Commissioner 
 1958–1959
Max Berthet
 1959–1960
Paul Masson
Prime Minister 
 1971–1974
Gérard Kango Ouédraogo
 1983
Thomas Sankara
Historical eraCold War
11 December 1958
5 August 1960
3 January 1966
25 November 1980
7 November 1982
4 August 1983
 Renamed
4 August 1984
Population
 1980 estimate
6,823,000
CurrencyCFA franc
ISO 3166 codeHV
Preceded by
Succeeded by
French Upper Volta
Burkina Faso
Today part ofBurkina Faso

The Republic of Upper Volta (French: République de Haute-Volta) was a landlocked West African country established on 11 December 1958 as a self-governing state within the French Community. Before becoming autonomous, it had been part of the French Union as the French Upper Volta. On 5 August 1960, it gained full independence from France. On 4 August 1984, it changed its name to Burkina Faso.