The GCB surged as a split from the Voltaic Revolutionary Communist Party in 1983, following the refusal of PCRV to support the revolutionary government of Thomas Sankara.
In 1986 the GCB signed a declaration, together with the Union of Communist Struggles – Reconstructed, Union of Burkinabé Communists and Revolutionary Military Organization, calling for revolutionary unity.
In 1989 the GCB left the government, following its refusal to join ODP/MT.
In April 1989 it split in two factions, one led by Salif Diallo joined the ODP/MT.
The other, led by Jean-Marc Palm became the Movement for Socialist Democracy (MDS) in March 1991.