Roch Marc Christian Kabore has won presidential elections in Burkina Faso. Mr Kabore, a former prime minister, secured 53.5% of the vote after months of political unrest. It was the first election since last year’s popular uprising which toppled longstanding President Blaise Compaore. Mr Compaore, 64, is now living in exile in neighbouring Ivory Coast. The Independent National Electoral Commission says Mr Kabore, 58, won the elections outright, and there is no need to hold a second round.

It says his main rival, former Economy and Finance Minister Zephirin Diabre, gained 21.6% of the vote. Mr Kabore served as chairman of the ruling Congress for Democracy and Progress party (CDP) before leaving it in 2014, after opposing plans to extend Mr Compaore’s rule.

Mr Kabore, a 58-year-old former banker and prime minister, was once a faithful ally of Mr Compaore so some will see his victory as a continuation of the former regime. As prime minister, his main goal for the next five years will be to consolidate democracy and, equally importantly, help end the economic crisis in one of the world’s poorest nations.

Did You Know???

• Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa.
• Formerly called the Republic of Upper Volta, the country was renamed “Burkina Faso” on 4 August 1984 by then-President Thomas Sankara.
• Ouagadougou is the capital of Burkina Faso.
• West African CFA franc is it’s currency.