1980 Upper Voltan coup d'état up against the President, which caused the 1966 Upper Voltan coup d'état, in which Lieutenant Colonel Sangoulé Lamizana took power. This marked the beginning of a long era of military rule in Upper Volta and later Burkina Faso. Lamizana would go on to rule the country as a military dictator until the Upper Voltan presidential election in 1978, when he was elected as the leader of a civilian regime. During the 1970s, the Lamizana government faced many problems, among them continued opposition from the trade unions, the rise of new political opposition groups, a strong Sahel drought, increasing desertification, and
Republic of Upper Volta dressés" "Promesses d'avenir caressées" Refrain: "Le travail de ton sol brûlant" "Sans fin trempera les cœurs ardents," "Et les vertus de tes enfants" "Le ceindront d'un diadème triomphant." Refrain: "Que Dieu te garde en sa bonté," "Que du bonheur de ton sol aimé," "L'Amour des frères soit la clé," "Honneur, Unité et Liberté." In English: Verse: Proud Volta of my ancestors, Your ardent and glorious sun Takes you with gold and pride O Queen draped with loyalty! Refrain: We will make you stronger and more beautiful To your love we will remain faithful And our hearts vibrant with pride Will