On this day in 1987, former President of Burkina Faso Thomas Sankara was assassinated along with 12 soldiers and buried in an unmarked grave by military men. He was only 37 years old.
Sankara became president in 1983 after participating in a coup that removed Col. Saye Zerbo from the presidency and subduing Maj. Jean-Baptiste Ouedraogo, who was also struggling to take the nation’s top position.
While president, Sankara quickly became known as Africa’s Che Guevara. In addition to implementing left-wing, anti-imperialist policies, he was a staunch opponent of corruption and an advocate for women empowerment.
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One can never overestimate the fact that Sankara was one of Africa’s greatest ever revolutionaries and thinkers. Though his time in power as president of Burkina Faso was senselessly cut short, his ideals and legacy will forever be etched in African political history.
To celebrate his legacy, Face2Face Africa shares with you 10 of his greatest quotes:
