Lamizana, Sangoulé (1916-2005)

Politician and army officer, second president of independent Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) from 1966-80. He came to power in a coup, and ruled autocratically; although he allowed political activity to resume in 1970, he returned the country to army rule in 1974. He himself was ousted by the military in 1980.

After embarking on a career in the French army, Lamizana saw action in World War II and in the French colonial conflict in Indochina (Vietnam), winning the Legion of Honour for bravery. In 1961 he was promoted to the rank of major, and in 1963-64 was appointed chief of staff and a lieutenant-colonel in the army of Upper Volta. On 3 January 1966 he led the military coup that finally overthrew President Yaméogo, and became president of the Republic and president of the Council.