On October 15, 1987, the world witnessed the tragic and abrupt end of one of Africa’s most iconic leaders—Thomas Sankara, the revolutionary President of Burkina Faso. Sankara, often referred to as the “Che Guevara of Africa,” was assassinated in a coup d’état at the age of 37, alongside 12 of his comrades. His death marked a dark chapter in the history of Burkina Faso, a nation he had ambitiously sought to transform through radical political, social, and economic reforms.
Who Was Thomas Sankara?
Thomas Sankara was born on December 21, 1949, in Yako, a small town in French Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso). A military captain by profession, Sankara’s rise to power began when he was appointed Prime Minister in 1983. His leftist views and charisma quickly made him a popular figure among young revolutionaries, but his anti-imperialist stance and radical reforms drew the ire of the country’s traditional elites and foreign powers. On August 4, 1983, Sankara came to power through a coup backed by fellow revolutionary officers, pledging to change the country’s political course.
Sankara immediately renamed the country from Upper Volta to Burkina Faso, which means “Land of Upright People” in the local languages of Mossi and Dioula. His vision for the nation was founded on self-reliance, economic independence, and social justice. He launched far-reaching reforms aimed at combating corruption, promoting education, empowering women, and developing Burkina Faso’s agricultural sector. His administration undertook mass vaccination campaigns, land redistribution, and infrastructure projects, all with the goal of improving the lives of the Burkinabe people.
Sankara’s Radical Reforms and Pan-African Vision
Sankara’s policies were not only revolutionary for Burkina Faso but also resonated across Africa. He rejected foreign aid, considering it a tool of neo-colonialism that perpetuated dependence on Western powers. Instead, he advocated for African countries to break free from the chains of foreign debt and exploitation.
Among his many initiatives, he prioritized women’s rights, famously declaring, “The revolution and women’s liberation go together.” Sankara banned forced marriages, female genital mutilation (FGM), and polygamy. He appointed women to top government positions and encouraged them to participate in all areas of public life.
His foreign policy was centered on Pan-Africanism and the solidarity of oppressed nations. Sankara often spoke at international forums, criticizing Western exploitation of African resources, and calling on African nations to unite in their struggle for economic independence. His government’s motto became “Dare to invent the future.”
The Assassination: Coup Led by Blaise Compaoré
Sankara’s bold reforms, however, threatened both local vested interests and foreign powers, particularly former colonial ruler France. His insistence on self-sufficiency and challenging the status quo led to tension within his own ranks. His former close ally, Blaise Compaoré, would ultimately orchestrate the coup that led to Sankara’s assassination.
On the fateful day of October 15, 1987, Sankara was attending a meeting at the Conseil de l’Entente, a government building in the capital, Ouagadougou. Soldiers loyal to Compaoré stormed the premises, killing Sankara and his aides in a hail of gunfire. Blaise Compaoré seized power, claiming that Sankara had jeopardized Burkina Faso’s relations with foreign nations and accusing him of being dictatorial. Compaoré would go on to rule the country for 27 years.
Sankara’s assassination sent shockwaves through Burkina Faso and beyond. Compaoré’s regime quickly moved to reverse many of Sankara’s revolutionary policies, aligning the country more closely with Western interests. The circumstances surrounding his death were shrouded in mystery for decades, with the government of Compaoré suppressing calls for an investigation into the murder.
For many years, Sankara’s legacy lived on in the hearts of Burkinabe citizens and Pan-Africanists across the continent, but his death remained unresolved until recently. In 2014, Compaoré was ousted from power by a popular uprising, and a new government finally began investigating Sankara’s murder. In 2021, a trial began in Ouagadougou, and in April 2022, Blaise Compaoré was convicted in absentia for his role in Sankara’s assassination, sentenced to life imprisonment.
More than three decades after his death, Thomas Sankara continues to inspire generations of Africans and activists worldwide. His vision for a self-reliant, just, and equitable Africa has cemented him as a martyr of the Pan-African cause. Today, Sankara’s image is often seen in protests advocating for social justice, anti-imperialism, and women’s rights.
While his life was tragically cut short, the ideals and values that Sankara championed remain alive. His assassination may have been intended to silence his revolutionary spirit, but instead, it immortalized his legacy as a symbol of hope, resilience, and the fight for true independence in Africa.
The assassination of Thomas Sankara on October 15, 1987, deprived Burkina Faso and Africa of one of its most visionary leaders. However, his influence endures, reminding the world of the power of revolutionary ideas and the importance of fighting for justice, equality, and sovereignty.