As far as african leadership goes, thomas sankara was cut from a different piece of cloth. Thomas sankara began by purging the deeply entrenched bureaucratic and institutional corruption in burkina faso. Thomas sankara, military officer and proponent of panafricanism who was installed as president of upper volta later burkina faso in 1983 after a military coup. There was no explicit mention of thomas sankara, who used that phrase. Jul 15, 2016 therefore, it is with deep nostalgia that i remember an iconic african revolutionary, a pragmatic visionary and an upright man, thomas isidore sankara, the former president of burkina faso. The documents my blog thomas sankara official website. Oct 15, 2018 sankara went into the highest office in burkina faso when he became president, but he didnt use it to enrich himself. Thomas isidore noel sankara 21 december 1949 15 october 1987 wis a burkinabe militar captain, marxist revolutionary, panafricanist theorist, an preses o burkina faso frae 1983 tae 1987. Thomas sankara, the upright revolutionary african roots dw. The life and death of thomas sankara philosophy of shaving. Thomas sankara quotes, assassination, biography, quick facts. Thomas sankara was a burkinabe revolutionary and president of burkina faso from 1983 to 1987. The approximate timing of his appearance in the country coincided with the assassination of president thomas sankara, the charismatic revolutionary leader of burkina faso, on 15 october 1987. An african revolutionary, is an engaging and approachable portrait of this historical figure.
Thomas sankara 19491987 is one of the most famous political figures in contemporary african history. He spent his early years in gaoua, a town in the humid southwest to which. After renaming his country to burkina faso, heres thomas sankaras accomplishments, only 4 years in power 198387. Nov 05, 20 julius malemas economic freedom fighters have invoked the legacy of former burkina faso president thomas sankara as a model of governance they apparently wish to emulate. Burkina faso, coup detatmilitary insurrection, political resis tance, political culture. Enus thomas sankara from burkina faso pronunciation voice of america. What links here related changes upload file special pages permanent link page information wikidata.
He slashed the salaries of ministers and sold off the fleet of exotic cars in the presidents convoy, opting instead for the cheapest brand of car available in burkina faso, renault 5. Mariam sankara nov 04, 2014 in this short but bold message to mark 27 years since the assassination of revolutionary president thomas sankara on october 15, his widow outlines some of the challenges facing burkinabes under the failed compaore regime and urges continued resistance. Mediated sankarism african studies quarterly university of florida. By directing the slogan at the municipal authorities, the youths likely intended. It also happens to be the firstever english language biography of the man. Thomas sankara est lun des leaders africains qui a le plus marque ces dernieres annees. Majors, captains, and lieutenants constituted officers of the lower rank and file in. Burkina faso unveils corrected thomas sankara statue. Sankara, as fidel so memorably said of che, did not think that man is an incorrigible little animal, capable of advancing only if you feed him grass db 10 31082007 21. He forced civil servants to pay one months salary to public projects. View the profiles of people named philippe sankara. We learn from thomas sankara that the leaders of the people must not live lifestyles which are parasitic on the people. Biography of former burkina fasos president, thomas sankara.
It was a historical speech, as only he, the great orator, could speak. Published by the center for african studies, university of florida. From upper volta to burkina faso usf scholar commons. Battistoli the judgment that sankara was a hero rests in part on what was politically possible in burkina faso in the early 1980s. As mandela is to south africa, so also is thomas to burkina faso. Apr 19, 2010 one response to thomas sankara, in his own words how imperialist aid blocks development in africa books of the month column printed below is an excerpt from we are heirs of the worlds revolutions, a collection of speeches by thomas sankara, leader of the burkina faso revolution. Thomas sankara, le president qui roulait en renault 5. I would like to share with you some of thomas sankara s famous declarations. It is 28 years, since his brutal assassination on october 15 1987. Thomas sankara speaks pathfinder press, 2007, 447 pages the life of the great african hero thomas sankara this is a compilation of some of the great speeches made by the great african hero, the burkina faso president thomas sankara, who between 1983 to 1987 led one of the great african revolutionary governments.
Pdf an analysis of thomas sankara a former president of. Jun 04, 2015 harsch is a columbia university professor and formerly a journalist in africa during sankaras rule. Perhaps, more than any other african president in living memory, thomas sankara, in four years, transformed burkina faso from a poor country. Album photos my blog thomas sankara official website. Dec 01, 1988 there is a certain tragedy in the life of thomas sankara, and it is not at first glance obvious. An african revolutionary ohio short histories of africa ernest harsch isbn. He held that position until 1987, when he was killed during another coup.
Born december 21, 1949, at yako, upper volta now burkina faso, sankara was a military officer and panafricanist who became the president of the upper volta and ruled from august 4, 1983, after a military coup organized by. Oct 15, 20 thomas sankara was burkina fasos president from august 1983 until his assassination on october 15, 1987. On october 4th, 1984, thomas sankara addressed the general assembly of the united nations. The thomas sankara oath black first land first blf. Inspired designs on tshirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. Thomas sankara president of burkina faso britannica. His father, joseph sankara, a gendarme, was of mixed mossifulani silmimoaga heritage while his mother, marguerite kinda, was of direct mossi descent. Media in category thomas sankara the following 9 files are in this category, out of 9 total. Sankara s roman catholic parents wanted him to be a priest. Thomas sankara was burkina fasos president from august 1983 until his assassination on october 15, 1987.
He was later ousted by one of his closest comrades, blaise compaore, then murdered on. Pdf on may 5, 2016, kelvin degbotse and others published an analysis of thomas sankara a former president of burkina faso as a leader find, read and cite all the research you need on researchgate. Find highquality thomas sankara stock photos and editorial news pictures from getty images. He came to power at the age of 32 via a military coup to oust former. Dubbed the african che guevara, thomas sankara led a revolution in the former upper volta. Thomas sankara and the assassination of africas memory. Thomas sankara, having been established to ensure the rational exploitation of natural resources. Since its independence from france on 5 august 1960 to 15 october 1987, burkina faso, the land of the upright people, has experience five changes in government. Facts about thomas sankara in burkina faso my blog. Like fidel and che, sankara believed in the men and women so arrogantly dismissed by the rulers of the imperialist world. A marxistleninist and panafricanist, he was viewed by supporters as a. Thomas isidore noel sankara 21 december 1949 15 october 1987 was a burkinabe military captain, marxist revolutionary, panafricanist theorist, and president of burkina faso from 1983 to 1987. During a famous oau assembly address, he made a powerful statement on african self reliance by proudly showing off his traditional tunic, woven from burkinabe. Documents from international organisations and ngos, leaflets and journals from trade unions and other.
Ghanaian authorities eventually jailed taylor twice for his increasingly subversive activities. Oct 02, 2015 on october 4th, 1984, thomas sankara addressed the general assembly of the united nations. Pdf a political biography of thomas sankara 19491987. Words cannot express the loss weve felt, and the loss africa and the world suffered on that day.
He was a genuine and dynamic leader who came to power on a continent thats mostly known for kleptocrats and entrenched dictators. Thomas sankara was killed in another military putsch in october 1987. Its the international day for the elimination of violence against women today and in recognition of this dedicated day and the 16 consecutive international activist days, i am sharing quotes from one of the best speeches on womens liberation and the african freedom struggle by one of the most extraordinary leaders of modern history, former burkinabe president, thomas. Jan 26, 20 thomas sankara is a charismatic revolution hero from burkina faso, the name he gave the country meaning land of upright man. Burkina faso unveils corrected thomas sankara statue bbc news. The life, politics and legacies of thomas sankara, murrey a.
Official pdf, 174 pages world bank documents world bank group. All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours. Thomas sankara speaks pathfinder press, 2007, 447 pages the life of the great african hero thomas sankara this is a compilation of some of the great speeches made by the great african hero, the burkina faso president thomas sankara, who between 1983 to. Facts about thomas sankara in burkina faso africa facts. For those who are familiar with it, the life of thomas sankara has a certain shakespearean quality. Join facebook to connect with philippe sankara and others you may know. Some of thomas sankaras famous quotes african heritage. Sankara was the first president of burkina faso, an authentic revolutionary who managed in just four years to transform his society and his homeland in a way it is doubtful most would believe to be possible if told, before his assassination in 1987 and the destruction of his revolution by his. Sankara set ambitious goals to reduce poverty in burkina faso and championed. Thomas sankara was born thomas isidore noel sankara on 21 december 1949 in yako, french upper volta as the third of ten children to joseph and marguerite sankara. Download premium images you cant get anywhere else. A leader of the poor shouldnt live luxuriously while the people suffer.
566 112 976 1044 1337 712 193 689 34 715 434 120 1508 559 520 781 1183 1384 588 124 280 470 858 49 808 1369 1192 623 581 953 1158 573 285 514 388 1345