Thomas Sankara was a Burkinabé military officer, revolutionary, and pan-Africanist leader who served as the President of Burkina Faso from 1983 to 1987. Born on December 21, 1949, in Yako, Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso), Sankara came from a modest family with a Catholic background. He pursued military training both locally and internationally, including in Madagascar, where he was influenced by the socialist ideals and independence movements taking place at the time. This shaped his political philosophy and commitment to anti-imperialism, Marxism, and pan-Africanism.

Sankara rose to prominence after joining the military, and his involvement in politics deepened as he served in various government positions. In 1981, he was appointed Secretary of State for Information, but his increasing radical stance, particularly his opposition to government corruption and imperialism, led to his dismissal and arrest in 1982. Following a series of coups and political instability, Sankara was thrust into leadership. On August 4, 1983, he came to power through a coup d'état at the age of 33, supported by a group of young military officers, including Blaise Compaoré, who would later become his closest ally and eventual betrayer.

As president, Sankara quickly embarked on a radical transformation of the country, which he renamed from Upper Volta to Burkina Faso, meaning "Land of Upright People." His government launched comprehensive social, economic, and political reforms aimed at self-reliance and breaking free from neocolonial control. He promoted local production, food self-sufficiency, and massive vaccination campaigns. Education and public health were prioritized, and women's rights were championed, with measures such as outlawing female genital mutilation, polygamy, and forced marriages.

Sankara was deeply critical of foreign aid, which he believed perpetuated dependency and exploitation. Instead, he urged Burkinabé to rely on their resources, famously rejecting luxury for public officials, including himself. His government encouraged civic participation, reforestation campaigns, and infrastructure projects, while drastically reducing the privileges of the elite and curbing corruption.

Internationally, Sankara was a vocal critic of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) and called for the cancellation of African debt, arguing that it was a tool of imperialist domination. His anti-imperialist stance, combined with his pan-Africanist vision, made him a controversial figure on the world stage, but he gained admiration from progressive movements worldwide.

However, Sankara's uncompromising policies and his growing domestic opposition, particularly from the bourgeoisie and traditional leaders who were alienated by his reforms, led to internal dissent. On October 15, 1987, Thomas Sankara was assassinated during a coup orchestrated by Blaise Compaoré, his former ally and close friend. Compaoré subsequently reversed many of Sankara’s policies and remained in power for the next 27 years.

Sankara’s legacy has endured as a symbol of anti-imperialism, self-reliance, and progressive politics. He is often referred to as “Africa’s Che Guevara” due to his revolutionary ideas and commitment to social justice. His life and work continue to inspire movements for change, not only in Africa but around the world.

REFERNCE:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Sankara