On Thursday, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso’s capital, the exhumed remains of former president Thomas Sankara were put to rest. The former president’s assassination in 1987 rocked the West African country.
“Africa’s Che Guevara” was killed at the age of 37 in a coup by his former buddy and successor Blaise Compaore.
However, Compaore was overthrown in 2014 after almost 30 years in power. Then sentenced to life in prison for Sankara’s murder in absentia.
Additionally, two of his former closest allies were given the same sentence at a trail that began in October, 2021. Although, each denied any misconduct.
Sankara and the martyrs were buried in a public cemetery in 1987. In 2015, the bones were unearthed for identification and also aiding the inquiry into Sankara’s murder.
They were all reburied on Thursday in coffins draped in the red and green flag of Burkina Faso, topped with red flowers.
Family members clothed in white paid their respects while passing Sankara’s casket. Joining them were former members of his military, civilians, and families of other victims.
Mousbila, the uncle of Sankara, said, “We applaud the authorities who helped write a significant chapter of our history.”
Burkinabe politician Mayamba Malick Sawadogo, a prisoner at the time of Sankara’s death and part of a group of inmates ordered to bury the body, was among the guests.
“It’s difficult to find myself back here,” he told Reuters through clenched teeth. “It’s true that almost three decades have gone. However, it’s not simple.”
In a 1983 coup, Sankara gained power on the promise of combating corruption and neocolonial forces.
He publicly opposed World Bank structural adjustment initiatives, female circumcision and polygamy. In addition, he was also an HIV/AIDS advocate.
Although detractors’ claims that his reforms curbed liberties and accomplished nothing to improve the lives of many citizens, he continues to garner praise for his humble lifestyle.
The victims of the killing of Sankara in 1987 will be reburied at a monument constructed on the site of the murder.
