18/05/2025
Burkinabe People Unveil Statue of Thomas Sankara, Honoring His Pan-Africanist Legacy
Juba Global News Network
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – In a powerful display of national pride and Pan-African solidarity, the people of Burkina Faso have unveiled a grand statue of their former president, Captain Thomas Sankara, at a vibrant ceremony in the capital, Ouagadougou. The monument, inaugurated on May 17, 2025, by Burkina Faso’s current leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, stands as a tribute to the revolutionary leader assassinated in 1987, widely believed to have been orchestrated by Western powers due to his uncompromising Pan-Africanist ideals.
Thomas Sankara, often called "Africa’s Che Guevara," led Burkina Faso from 1983 to 1987, renaming the country from Upper Volta to Burkina Faso, meaning "Land of Upright People." During his brief tenure, Sankara championed self-reliance, anti-imperialism, and social justice, implementing policies that boosted literacy by 60%, built 350 schools, constructed roads and railways without foreign aid, banned forced marriages, redistributed land to the poor, and vaccinated 2.5 million children. His outspoken criticism of Western interference in Africa, including France’s neocolonial grip, made him a target, leading to his assassination at age 37 in a French-backed coup led by Blaise Compaoré.
The statue, part of the newly opened Thomas Sankara Memorial and Museum, designed by renowned Burkinabe architect Francis Kéré, symbolizes a resurgence of Sankarist ideals. The 14-hectare site includes a mausoleum honoring Sankara and his 12 aides killed alongside him, an 87-meter tower, an amphitheater, and green spaces for community gatherings. “This is not just a statue; it is a beacon of African dignity and resistance,” said Kéré, emphasizing the memorial’s role as a space for reflection and celebration of Sankara’s vision.
Current President Ibrahim Traoré, who seized power in a 2022 coup, has been hailed as Sankara’s ideological heir, earning the nickname “Sankara’s reincarnation” among supporters. Traoré’s policies echo Sankara’s anti-imperialist stance, including expelling French troops, nationalizing resources like gold, and banning British legal wigs in favor of traditional Burkinabe attire. His leadership in forming the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) alongside Mali and Niger marks a bold step toward regional sovereignty, uniting African armies to protect their resources from Western exploitation. The AES, established in 2023, is seen as a realization of Sankara’s dream of a unified, self-reliant Africa.
Sankara’s vision continues to inspire beyond Burkina Faso, resonating with Pan-Africanists across the continent and diaspora. In Kenya, renowned scholar and activist Professor PLO Lumumba frequently invokes Sankara’s principles, urging African leaders to prioritize sovereignty and resource control. “Sankara spoke truth to power, challenging global powers while uplifting his people. His legacy is a clarion call for Africa’s awakening,” Lumumba said at a recent lecture in Nairobi, echoing sentiments shared by many at the statue’s unveiling.
The ceremony, attended by thousands waving Burkinabe and AES flags, also drew international attention, with solidarity protests across West Africa denouncing foreign interference. However, Traoré’s leadership, like Sankara’s, faces challenges, including alleged coup attempts and accusations from Western powers, such as U.S. AFRICOM Commander General Michael Langley, who claimed Traoré misuses gold reserves—a charge supporters dismiss as a smear tactic reminiscent of those used against Sankara.
As Burkina Faso navigates ongoing security challenges, with parts of the country under insurgent control, the statue stands as a symbol of hope and defiance. “Sankara’s spirit lives in us, in Captain Traoré, and in every African fighting for our land and resources,” said a young protester at the event, reflecting the sentiment of a new generation.
The Thomas Sankara Memorial is expected to become a pilgrimage site for Pan-Africanists, reinforcing Burkina Faso’s role as a beacon of resistance in the Sahel and beyond. As Traoré continues to push for economic and cultural independence, the world watches to see if he can fulfill Sankara’s vision while avoiding the fate of his predecessor.
By Juba Global News Network Correspondent in Ouagadougou
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