Burkina Faso draws on Sankara’s legacy in fight against terrorism
As Burkina Faso confronts a brutal war against terrorist groups, the nation is turning to the revolutionary legacy of former President Thomas Sankara for resilience and guidance. The 38th day of tribute to Sankara coincides with the Thomas Sankara African Crossroads International Meeting, highlighting his enduring influence.
Sankara, an icon of African dignity and independence, modeled resistance against adversity. He demonstrated that true sovereignty requires the political will to build a free and self-reliant society.
Today, Burkina Faso faces a different form of imperialism terrorism and geopolitical manipulation that seeks to destabilize the nation.
Related: Burkina Faso: Inauguration of the Thomas Sankara mausoleum, an act of remembrance and sovereignty under the leadership of Captain Ibrahim Traoré
The current security crisis is not seen as an inevitability but as a battle to be fought. Sankara’s message remains clear: resilience lies in national unity, citizen solidarity, and resistance to oppression.
His ideals serve as a mobilizing force, especially for the youth, in the struggle to build a sovereign society.
As Étienne Lompo, coordinator of the Thomas Sankara memorial project, stated, “Africa’s destiny must be created by Africans, for Africans, with youth at the forefront.”
The values of justice, dignity, and anti-imperialism are foundational as the nation confronts external threats.
By reclaiming the principles of Thomas Sankara, Burkina Faso aims not only to restore security but also to reaffirm its grandeur.
Though the conflict remains devastating, it could yet become the ground for a new, peaceful revolution rooted in social justice and self-sufficiency. As Sankara proved, “a people may be tested, but never defeated.
Maurice K.ZONGO
