![]() ![]() One of Sankara’s great political achievements was bringing women into all levels of government in Burkina Faso. In just four years of his rule, Burkina Faso had attained food sufficiency. Sankara also built schools and hospitals across the country and planted over 10 million trees to combat desertification. He was also one of the first African leaders to raise awareness about HIV AIDS. In one of the most successful inoculation drives in Africa at the time, over two million children were vaccinated. Thus, upon coming to power, Sankara gave his country a new name, Burkina Faso or “Land of Upright Men”, indicating a radical new vision of self-reliance for the country.Īlso Read | Malcolm X’s family plan to sue authorities for his death: Who was Malcolm X and how did he die?Īccording to The Jacobin, “Sankara’s leadership was characterised by nationalisation, land redistribution, and expansive railway building programs”. Sankara understood that true independence was more than a new flag and currency - it meant political and economic independence, too. At the time, the Republic of Upper Volta was one of Africa’s poorest countries which officially attained independence in 1958 but remained afflicted by the dark legacy of French colonialism and heavily dependent on western aid and corporate interests. Sankara came to power after a coup in 1983. A brave leader who stood against neocolonialism “It is true that more than 30 years have passed… but it is not easy.” Sawadogo was an ally of Sankara and spent time in prison during the 1987 coup. “It is emotional to find myself here again,” Mayamba Malick Sawadogo told Reuters, holding back tears. ![]() Sankara’s reburial at the scene of his murder, after the completion of the investigation, brought closure to some but the scars from his untimely death run deep. ![]()
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