Let's learn and talk about THOMAS SANKARA

A few days ago on 6 April 2022, some 34 years after the assassination of Burkino Faso President Thomas Sankara, sentences were finally issued following the trial of those convicted for conspiring to assassinate him. Among those issued life sentences include Sankara's former friend Blaise Compaoré, who took power following the murder and was President for 27 years.

Let's take this occasion to learn more about the story, accomplishments, controversies, and legacy of the life of Thomas Sankara, President of Burkina Faso from 1983 to 1987 (Fun fact: the name "Burkina Faso" itself, which combines words from two different local languages to mean something like "Land of the Upright/Honest People", was bestowed by Sankara to replace the colonial name of "Upper Volta"... Interested yet?!). During his brief time as President, Sankara's socialist policies prioritised developments in public infrastructure, housing, education, and healthcare, with special emphases on increasing agricultural and industrial self-sufficiency and improving conditions for Burkinabé women.

As usual, below I've gathered some (optional) reading/viewing materials as possible places to start your own search, but feel free to find (and share) your own! We'll share the impressions and questions we take from these materials and use them to kick off our conversations.
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SOME VIDEOS

• The life, legacy & assassination of an African revolutionary - TedTalk by Lisa Janae Bacon (5 minutes) : https://youtu.be/H_iF-E5UEOg
• Who was Thomas Sankara? from FRANCE 24 English (9 minutes) : https://youtu.be/mx8sQpMP0rE
• Faces of Africa - Sankara's Ghost from CGTN Africa (30 minutes) : https://youtu.be/cobVBgQKdlc
• Thomas Sankara, the Upright Man, documentary (52 minutes) : https://youtu.be/G7Vlt41HPUE
• Thomas Sankara's Legacy, lecture from Milton Allimadi's "African History Club" (33 minutes) : https://youtu.be/jiFwPZhXY98
• Conviction of Compaore in Murder of Thomas Sankara, lecture from Milton Allimadi's "African History Club" (28 minutes) : https://youtu.be/G3yazATvqAQ

SOME ARTICLES

• Some news articles / videos about the trials :

https://www.dw.com/en/what-thomas-sankaras-murder-trial-and-verdict-mean-for-burkina-faso/a-61395129
https://www.africanews.com/2022/04/06/former-president-compaore-sentenced-to-life-in-sankara-trial/
https://www.africanews.com/2022/04/07/sankara-supporters-gather-at-the-monument-following-court-ruling/

• Editorial focusing on Sankara's policies and rhetoric around women's issues : [https://uncensoredopinion.co.za/sankara-a-fierce-advocate-for-womens-rights/#:~:text=The%20Revolution%20Cannot%20Triumph%20Without%20The%20Emancipation%20of,women%20on%20International%20Women%E2%80%99s%20Day%2C%20March%208%2C%201987](https://uncensoredopinion.co.za/sankara-a-fierce-advocate-for-womens-rights/#:~:text=The%20Revolution%20Cannot%20Triumph%20Without%20The%20Emancipation%20of,women%20on%20International%20Women%E2%80%99s%20Day%2C%20March%208%2C%201987)