Burkina Faso: “My brick for Sankara”, memory in the service of regained sovereignty
The launch of the “My Brick for Sankara” initiative marks a decisive turning point in the refoundation of Burkina Faso. More than just a construction project, it is an act of symbolic and cultural sovereignty, where the memory of Captain Thomas Sankara becomes a lever for national reaffirmation.
In a context where the country asserts its right to self-determination, this initiative reflects a clear will to build a future rooted in dignity, solidarity, and confidence in the collective strength of the people.
The choice of citizen-based funding, open to all Burkinabe, the diaspora, and friendly nations, constitutes a powerful political response to the external dependencies that have long weakened African initiatives.
By inviting every citizen to “contribute their brick,” the government, through the International Committee for the Thomas Sankara Memorial, transforms memory into an engine of sovereignty.
The construction of the memorial thus becomes a shared endeavour, a demonstration of the people’s capacity to take charge of their own destiny, to finance their history, and to recognize themselves in a common project.
Under the leadership of Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the refoundation of Burkina Faso here takes on a cultural and identitarian dimension.
If political and military sovereignty is asserted through a break with external oversight, cultural sovereignty takes root in the memory of national heroes.
By honoring Sankara through a popular initiative, the country reconnects with its fundamental values: integrity, work, unity, and self-reliance. It is a message to the world: Burkina Faso no longer waits for an imported model; it is forging its own.
The strength of the “My Brick for Sankara” initiative also lies in its inclusivity. Everyone, regardless of their means, can contribute to the building of the memorial.
This participatory approach reconciles memory with action, the symbolic with the concrete. It reflects the maturity of a people aware that their liberation can only come from themselves.
This initiative is not merely a tribute to one man. It is a renewed declaration of independence, a way of stating that Burkina Faso, faithful to the Sankarist spirit, now intends to write its own history with its own means. Through memory, the country consolidates its sovereignty.
Through citizen participation, it anchors the national refoundation in the popular consciousness. “My Brick for Sankara” thus becomes more than a project; it is a living symbol of sovereignty regained.
Maurice K. ZONGO
