The history of Thomas SANKARA is one of the most inspiring and tragic stories in modern African history. Born on December 21, 1949, in Yako, Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso), SANKARA rose to prominence as a charismatic and revolutionary leader who championed African self-reliance, social justice, and anti-imperialism. In 1983, he became the president of Upper Volta, renamed Burkina Faso under his leadership. SANKARA’s presidency was marked by unprecedented reforms, including the promotion of women’s rights, rural development, and the fight against corruption. However, his revolutionary zeal and outspokenness against Western powers and their local allies ultimately led to his assassination in 1987, at the age of 38. Despite his short tenure in power, SANKARA’s legacy endures as a symbol of African liberation and revolutionary thought. In this article, we will explore the life, accomplishments, and legacy of Thomas SANKARA.
The Early Years of Thomas SANKARA:
Thomas SANKARA was born in Yako, a town in northern Upper Volta, to a family of Mossi ethnic group. His father, Joseph SANKARA, was a gendarme, while his mother, Marguerite SANKARA, was a housewife. SANKARA attended primary school in Gaoua and later transferred to Ouagadougou to attend high school. In 1966, he was admitted to the Military Academy of Antsirabe in Madagascar, where he received military training.
SANKARA’s Political Awakening and Revolutionary Ideology:
After returning from Madagascar, SANKARA became involved in left-wing politics and activism. He was inspired by Marxist and anti-colonial thinkers such as Frantz Fanon, Amilcar Cabral, and Che Guevara. In 1974, SANKARA participated in a military coup that overthrew the government of Upper Volta. However, the new government proved to be corrupt and inefficient, and SANKARA was sent to prison for his outspokenness against the regime.
In 1981, SANKARA was released from prison, and he quickly rose to prominence as a leader of a new political movement called the National Council for the Revolution (CNR). SANKARA’s vision for Burkina Faso was based on self-reliance, social justice, and anti-imperialism. He believed that African nations should rely on their own resources and talents to build a better future, rather than relying on foreign aid and debt. SANKARA also advocated for the empowerment of women and the rural poor, who had long been marginalized by the ruling elite.
SANKARA’s Presidency and Revolutionary Reforms:
In 1983, SANKARA became the president of Upper Volta, which he renamed Burkina Faso, meaning “land of the upright people.” His presidency was marked by unprecedented reforms aimed at improving the lives of ordinary Burkinabe people. SANKARA’s policies included:
- Land reform: SANKARA nationalized land and redistributed it to the rural poor, who had been excluded from land ownership and control. This policy was aimed at reducing rural poverty and increasing food security.
- Education and healthcare: SANKARA implemented free education and healthcare programs, which greatly improved access to these essential services, especially for women and children.
- Women’s rights: SANKARA was a vocal advocate for women’s rights and gender equality. He appointed women to prominent government positions and implemented policies to improve women’s access to education, healthcare, and employment.
- Anti-corruption: SANKARA launched a campaign to fight corruption and embezzlement, which had long been rampant in Burkina Faso’s government and economy. He also implemented austere measures to reduce government spending and waste.
SANKARA’s presidency was also marked by his outspokenness against Western powers and their local allies. He criticized foreign aid and debt as a form of neo-colonialism and called for African nations to assert their sovereignty and self-determination. He also opposed apartheid in South Africa and supported liberation movements across the continent.
The Assassination of Thomas SANKARA and Its Aftermath:
Despite his popularity and revolutionary reforms, SANKARA’s presidency was short-lived. On October 15, 1987, he was assassinated in a coup d’état led by his former friend and colleague, Blaise Compaoré. SANKARA’s death shocked the world and sparked protests and condemnations across Africa and beyond. Compaoré, who had been SANKARA’s deputy, took power and reversed many of SANKARA’s reforms. He also pursued a pro-Western and neoliberal economic agenda, which further alienated him from the Burkinabe people.
For many years, the circumstances and motives of SANKARA’s assassination remained shrouded in mystery and speculation. However, in 2015, a national inquiry commission in Burkina Faso concluded that SANKARA was indeed assassinated by a group of soldiers on orders from Compaoré. The commission also recommended that Compaoré and several of his associates be prosecuted for their role in the assassination and other crimes committed during their regime.
The Legacy of Thomas SANKARA: African Liberation and Revolutionary Thought:
Despite his tragic and untimely death, Thomas SANKARA’s legacy endures as a symbol of African liberation and revolutionary thought. His vision of self-reliance, social justice, and anti-imperialism has inspired generations of activists, scholars, and leaders across Africa and beyond. SANKARA’s commitment to women’s rights, rural development, and anti-corruption has also had a lasting impact on Burkina Faso and other African countries. His assassination and the subsequent cover-up and repression by Compaoré’s regime have also highlighted the challenges and dangers of democratic and revolutionary movements in Africa and the world.
Q: What were Thomas SANKARA’s main accomplishments as the president of Burkina Faso? A: SANKARA’s presidency was marked by unprecedented reforms, including the promotion of women’s rights, rural development, education, healthcare, and the fight against corruption. He also championed African self-reliance, social justice, and anti-imperialism.
Q: Why was Thomas SANKARA assassinated? A: SANKARA was assassinated in a coup d’état led by his former friend and colleague, Blaise Compaoré, who opposed SANKARA’s revolutionary reforms and outspokenness against Western powers and their local allies.