How Thomas Sankara shaped Burkina Faso 34 years after assassination
By Guardian Exclusive
15 October 2021 |
5:59 pm
Exactly 34 years ago today, the charismatic Pan-Africanist and Burkina Faso's then President, Thomas Sankara, was shot dead aged 37 by soldiers during a coup on 15 October 1987. Four years before his assassination with 12 others, Sankara and his close friend, Blaise Compaoré, staged a coup that brought them to power. This is the story of how he shaped Burkina Faso decades after his assassination.
In this article
Related
11 Dec
World AIDS Day is dedicated to raising awareness and remembering those who lost their lives to the illness. Although the world has come a long way in terms of both destigmatising and treating HIV/AIDS, much remains to be done.
12 Dec
An Egyptian man who has been manufacturing and repairing soccer balls for over 50 years talks about his passion for the craft and the sport loved by millions of Egyptians who now line up to follow the World Cup.
12 Dec
A militant group of Germany's far-right extremist Reichsbürger movement apparently planned to overthrow the government. Could such a coup succeed?
14 Dec
Boluarte has appeared on national television at a military ceremony as she attempts to secure her grip on power. Boluarte replaced ousted leftist leader Pedro Castillo whose supporters are protests for his return.
17 Dec
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said the German government needed to "exert maximum pressure" to remove weapons from far-right extremists of the Reichsbürger movement.
12 Dec
Two teenagers were killed in clashes with police in the southern city of Andahuaylas. Demonstrations also occurred in the capital and other regions following the controversial ouster of former President Pedro Castillo.
14 Dec
The shootout took place when a group of four police officers arrived at a remote property in the small town of Wieambilla in the Queensland state. The siege ended with the death of the suspects.
18 Dec
After less than a week in office, Dina Boluarte said she would ask Congress to move up elections by two years. Former President Pedro Castillo, who was voted out by lawmakers, decried the move as a "dirty game."
15 Dec
A majority of MPs in the National Assembly have voted against adopting a report that could have seen impeachment proceedings begin. Cyril Ramaphosa has been under pressure over cash found at his private farm.
14 Dec
Leaders of two separate military coups both hope to secure parliamentary majority in Fiji, with the outcome likely determining the nation's policy towards China.
14 Dec
The Atlas Lions of Morocco – and Africa – are just one victory away from adding another historic feat to their handful of World Cup achievements. Standing in their way are the reigning world champions, France.
Latest
1 day ago
Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on Tuesday.
1 day ago
Michelle Yeoh battles her way through a multiverse, Angela Bassett leads a grieving nation at war, and Cate Blanchett deviously manipulates members of a world-class orchestra.
1 day ago
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year, the German arms manufacturer has seen its share price more than double.
1 day ago
Last month's deadly earthquakes sped up efforts by Arab nations to reconcile with Damascus after years of civil war. President Bashar Assad needs international help to rebuild his country but many roadblocks remain.
1 day ago
As Honduras contemplates switching diplomatic allegiance from Taiwan to China, experts say unofficial ties with remaining allies are stable but it's important to maintain formal relations, amid pressure from Beijing.
1 day ago
Chancellor Olaf Scholz is in Tokyo this weekend for German-Japanese intergovernmental consultations. The two countries have recognized that they share economic and strategic interests. DW's Nina Haase reports from Tokyo.