Upper Volta government toppled by the military

November 26, 1980

The government of the West African republic of Upper Volta has been overthrown in a military coup. Diplomatic sources here said there was apparently no violence during the ouster of President Sangoule Lamizana, considered moderately pro-Western. The coup was led by a colonel identified as Saye Zerbo, who has dissolved parliament and suspended the Constitution, the sources said.