Martyrs Day in Burkina Faso Date in the current year: October 31, 2024

On September 16, 2015 transitional President Michel Kafando and Prime Minister Yacouba Isaak Zida were detained by members of the Regiment of Presidential Security. The next day, the coup leaders announced that they were dissolving the government and setting up the National Council for Democracy, a new transitional body designed to oversee the transition to new elections.

Hundreds of protesters flooded the streets of Ouagadougou and assembled outside of the presidential palace, demanding that that the coup leaders step down. About 10 people died and over 100 were injured in altercations between coups supporters and protesters.

The junta failed to consolidate its authority across the country, and on September 21 soldiers of the regular army entered the capital. Two days later, the coup leaders announced their withdrawal, and Kafando was reinstalled as President.

The next year, Martyrs Day was created to honor those who were killed or injured in all Burkinabé coups. Although it was inspired by the 2015 coup, it is observed on the anniversary of the 2014 uprising that resulted in the resignation of President Blaise Compaoré, notorious for his 27-year term.