19 July 2011 Last updated at 08:54 ET

Burkina Faso profile

A poor country even by West African standards, landlocked Burkina Faso has suffered from recurring droughts, matched in number only by the military coups it has endured, especially during the 1980s.

Burkina Faso has significant reserves of gold, but cotton production is the economic mainstay for many Burkinabes. The industry is vulnerable to changes in world prices.

Formerly Upper Volta, Burkina Faso has spent many of its post-independence years under military rule.

At a glance

Politics: Coup leader Blaise Compaore won a new five-year term in 2010 after 23 years at the helm
Economy: The UN rates Burkina Faso as the world's third poorest country
International: Burkina Faso has been linked to conflicts within the region. Many citizens who have traditionally worked in Ivory Coast have fled instability there

After taking power in a 1983 coup, Thomas Sankara adopted a policy of nonalignment, developed relations with Libya and Ghana, and gave the country its present name, which translates as "land of honest men".

In 1987 Mr Sankara was overthrown and then executed in a coup masterminded by Blaise Compaore, who has since instituted a multi-party system.

Burkina Faso has faced domestic and external concern over the state of its economy and human rights, and allegations that it was involved in the smuggling of diamonds by rebels in Sierra Leone.

Troubles in neighbouring Ivory Coast have raised tensions. Ivory Coast has accused Burkina Faso of backing rebels in its north, a claim denied by Ouagadougou, which accuses its neighbour of mistreating Burkinabes living in Ivory Coast.