Michel Kafando
- Early Life and Education
- Diplomatic Career
- Burkina Faso Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Ambassador to the United Nations
- Interim President of Burkina Faso
- Restoration of Presidency
- Presidential Elections and Transition
Early Life and Education
Michel Kafando was born on August 18, 1942, in Ouagadougou, Haute-Volta (now Burkina Faso). He graduated from the Jean-Baptiste de la Salle College in Ouagadougou in 1963. From 1964 to 1968, he studied in Dakar, Senegal. In 1979, he obtained a law degree from the University of Bordeaux in France and subsequently received a diploma in political science in Paris.
Diplomatic Career
Kafando's diplomatic career began in 1978, when he became an advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs on legal affairs and international cooperation. From 1981 to 1982, he served as the Permanent Representative of Upper Volta to the UN. In 1982, he became Vice-President of the UN General Assembly.
Burkina Faso Minister of Foreign Affairs
In the same year, Kafando was appointed as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Burkina Faso. He became the only member of the government to retain his ministerial post after the coup d'état led by Jean-Baptiste Ouédraogo. Kafando also served as Vice-President of the UN General Assembly in 1982, led numerous delegations to the Organization of African Unity, and was Vice-President of the African Center for Meteorology.
Ambassador to the United Nations
From 1998 to 2011, Kafando served as the Permanent Representative of Burkina Faso to the United Nations. In 2008-2009, he was President of the UN Security Council.
Interim President of Burkina Faso
Following a military coup in November 2014, Kafando was appointed as Interim President on November 17, 2014. He also assumed the role of Minister of Foreign Affairs until July 19, 2015. On September 16, 2015, he was removed from power in a military coup and placed under arrest.
Restoration of Presidency
On September 18, 2015, Kafando was released from arrest by the National Council for Democracy to "ease tensions." He was reinstated as Interim President on September 23, 2015.
Presidential Elections and Transition
Elections were held on November 29, 2015, and Roch Marc Christian Kaboré was elected President. Kafando transferred power to Kaboré on December 29, 2015.
