Happy Birthday Thomas Sankara

“Let there be an end to the arrogance of the big powers who miss no opportunity to put the rights of the people in question. Africa's absence from the club of those who have the right to veto is unjust and should be ended” - Thomas Sankara

(Thomas Sankara)

Thomas Sankara was born on December 21st, 1949 in Yako, French West Africa. In 1966 he began his military career. In 1970 Sankara went to the military academy of Antsirabe in Madagascar. In 1972 he read the works of Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin which had a big impact on him. He graduated in 1973. In 1974 he fought in the border war between the Upper Volta and Mali. In 1976 he became commander of the Commando Training Centre in Po. The same year he joined “The Communist Officers’ Group”. In 1981 Sankara was appointed Secretary of State for Information in the military government. In 1982 he resigned. In 1983 he became prime minister.

(Sankara in 1983)

He was later placed under house arrest. An uprising occurred due to Sankara being under house arrest. A coup d'etat made Sankara the President of French West Africa. He was inspired by Fidel Castro and Che Guevara in his leading style.

(Sankara (Left) and Fidel Castro (Right))

He was an anti imperialist. In 1984 he changed the name of the country to “Burkina Faso”. Production of crops increased during his presidency.

(Sankara in 1984)

Sankara put emphasis in feeding and housing the people of Burkina Faso. He also launched education programs in the country. He also banned  female genital mutilation, forced marriages, and polygamy. In 1985 a war broke out with Mali where 100 people were killed.

(Sankara in 1985)

In 1986 Burkina Faso was producing 3500 Lb of wheat per acre. In 1987 he gave a speech to thousands of women about better conditions for females all over the country. Sankara was the 1st African leader to appoint women to major cabinet positions and to recruit them actively for the military.

(Sankara in 1987)

Also in 1987 Sankara was accused of human rights violations by Great Britain. European countries viewed Burkina Faso as not free in terms of civil liberties and political rights. On October 15th, 1987 Thomas Sankara was killed in a coup d'etat. He was 37 years old.

(Sankara’s grave)

Today is his 67th birthday and we would all like to say happy birthday and rest in peace Thomas Sankara.

Videos of Thomas Sankara

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA92O8VQdDc  “Invité _ Thomas Sankara, Président du Burkina Faso - une vidéo”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BTDRLcPsPo  “Thomas Sankara speech”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VudwOi45LQ8  “Thomas Sankara”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jzz4V83QjZE  “capitaine Thomas sankara.”

(P.S. sorry for the late post)