Thomas Sankara - Africa’s “Che Guevara”

by Leila Dunde

Thomas Sankara was not only a revolutionary leader but a visionary who embodied humanist ideals and anti-colonial resistance. As President of Burkina Faso from 1983 until his assassination in 1987, Sankara implemented sweeping reforms that sought to lift his country from the grip of poverty, foreign dependency, and internal inequality. His leadership was defined by a unique blend of social justice, radical self-reliance, and a deep respect for the dignity and potential of every Burkinabè citizen. Sankara’s anti-colonial ideas were at the core of his political philosophy. He believed that African nations, despite gaining political independence, were still economically and culturally dominated by former colonial powers. He viewed foreign aid as a modern form of colonialism that created dependency rather than development. His famous declaration, “He who feeds you, controls you,” captured his insistence on economic self-sufficiency. One of his first symbolic acts was renaming the country from Upper Volta a colonial-era name to Burkina Faso, meaning “Land of Honest People,” signaling a clear break from the past.

Beyond anti-colonialism, Sankara’s leadership was deeply humanistic. He saw governance as a tool for human development and prioritized policies that uplifted the most marginalized in society. Women’s liberation was central to his revolution. He appointed women to leadership roles, banned forced marriages and female genital mutilation, and encouraged women to join the military and workforce. His belief that “the revolution and women’s liberation go hand in hand” positioned Burkina Faso as a rare example of gender-progressive governance in 1980s Africa. Sankara’s humanist vision also shaped his approach to education, healthcare, and the environment. He launched mass literacy campaigns to combat the low education rates, especially in rural areas, emphasizing the role of education in liberation. His government introduced nationwide vaccination programs, built health clinics, and fought against hunger through agrarian reform and food self-sufficiency. Environmentally, he led reforestation campaigns to combat desertification, promoting sustainability long before it became a global concern.

However, Sankara’s revolution was short-lived. In 1987, he was assassinated in a coup led by his former ally, Blaise Compaoré. With his death, Burkina Faso's political trajectory shifted dramatically. Compaoré reversed many of Sankara’s reforms, re-opening the country to foreign aid and international corporations. The vision of a self-reliant, socially just Burkina Faso was slowly dismantled in favor of policies that enriched elites and reinforced the very systems Sankara had opposed. Under Compaoré's 27-year rule, corruption flourished, and the ideals of equality and justice were eroded. Women’s rights saw little progress, healthcare and education were neglected, and foreign influence in national affairs grew stronger. Rather than building on Sankara’s foundation, successive governments steered the nation back into dependency and deepened social inequality. Burkina Faso’s political leaders abandoned the human-centered governance model Sankara had championed.

In recent years, amid growing political instability and economic hardship, many Burkinabè citizens, especially the youth have begun to revisit Sankara’s vision. His speeches, ideas, and legacy continue to inspire movements for justice, transparency, and true independence. The call to return to his values reflects a desire for leadership that places people before profit, and justice before power. Thomas Sankara’s legacy remains a glimmer of hope for not only Burkina Faso but for all nations struggling under the weight of corruption and neocolonialism. His vision of a fair, equal, and self-reliant society, where human dignity is central to governance, remains as relevant today as it was in the 1980s. Reviving his ideals could pave the way toward a more just and sustainable future a future in which leadership once again means service to the people.