CHAPTER TWO: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND CURRENT CHALLENGES _____________________________________________________________________ 65. Like most of the other settlements, Upper Volta evolved in 1948 as part of the French Union. The framework law passed on 23 June 1956 conferred territorial management on government councils, the first of which was formed by Ouezzin Coulibaly on 17 May 1957. 66. On 11 December 1958, Upper Volta was granted the status of an autonomous republic member. After joining the Federation of Mali on 28 January 1959, Upper Volta withdrew to form – together with Côte d’Ivoire, Niger and Dahomey – the Council of Understanding and was granted international sovereignty on 5 August 1960. The triumph of the rule of law 67. From 1960, when it gained independence, to 1991 (when the constitution of the Fourth Republic was adopted), Burkina Faso experienced a particularly turbulent political life that was marked by alternating constitutional and emergency regimes. 68. The 1960 constitution, which established the First Republic, was de facto abolished on 3 January 1966 following a popular movement that led to the overthrow of the regime of President Maurice Yaméogo – who had been faced with the thorny issue of modern state affirmation as opposed to the authority of traditional leaders, and with economic crises. The context was marked in particular by the de facto introduction of a single-party system comprising the Voltaic Democratic Union and the local section of the African Democratic Gathering (UDV-RDA), and by the act of 24 April 1965 restricting trade union freedoms and the right to strike. These events aggravated the discontent of the population. 69. On the financial front, poor management of public finances led to the decision to reduce the payroll by 20%. As a result, trade unions began a strike that led to the fall of President Yaméogo. Subsequently, the oldest military officer of highest rank was elevated to the position of head of the state. The takeover of power by Lieutenant Colonel Sangoulé Lamizana led to the formation of a provisional military government made up of members of the Higher Council of the Armed Forces. The constitution was suspended, the National Assembly and local councils were dissolved, and political parties were banned. 70. The first tasks facing the new government were to stabilise public finances and bring about economic recovery. The austerity measures introduced as a result were accepted by civil servants. In 1969, the budget deficit was eliminated and the concept of a welfare state was strengthened by participation in several economic, cultural and social sectors – such as electricity, water, cinemas, banks and insurance. Furthermore, the country adopted a new constitution. Thus was born the Second Republic. 71. During the Second Republic (1971-1974), three political parties dominated the then Voltaic political landscape, namely the African Democratic Gathering (RDA), the African Coalition Party (PRA) and the National Liberation 51