Thirty-six years ago this week, Thomas Sankara, the revolutionary leader of Burkina Faso, was assassinated in a coup. Some feel his legacy is being carried forward by the head of the country's current junta, Ibrahim Traoré. Like Sankara, Traoré seized power [10] in his early 30s and has espoused strong anti-imperialist views. He has cut ties with former colonial ruler France, snubbed offers of Western military aid, and nominated a Sankara supporter as prime minister. At a commemoration this week in Ouagadougou, authorities announced that the capital city's Boulevard Charles de Gaulle will be renamed [11] Boulevard Thomas Sankara.
Still, detractors argue that Traoré lacks a social project comparable to Sankara, who challenged global capitalism [17], and built schools and health centers. Critics say Traoré mobilizes anti-imperialism to legitimize his rule, which is threatened by disgruntled soldiers [12] and jihadist insurgents. The army captain, in power since late last year, has pursued an all-out military strategy [13] against jihadists, spurning the dialogue options [14] pursued by his predecessors. Insecurity has worsened under his watch, and his troops have been accused of brutal attacks against civilians [15].
From The New Humanitarian [18], Oct. 20
See our last report on the legacy of Thomas Sankara [19].
