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While he is in exile due to being brought down by protests in 2014, Burkina Faso's former president Blaise Compaoré was convicted today (April 6) for his role in the killing of Thomas Sankara in 1987.
The great revolutionary leader was murdered in a coup on October 15, 1987.
Sankara became the first president of Burkina Faso in 1983. His administration initiated a radical, anti-imperialist and anti-IMF program that included nationalizations, infrastructure building, promoting education and advancing the rights of women.
After 4 years in power he was assassinated during a military coup led by Compaoré. Tragically, despite their popularity, many of his reforms were undone.
Compaoré was sentenced to life in prison in absentia. General Gilbert Diendere and Hyacinthe Kafando also received life sentences for their roles, while eight other conspirators received varying jail terms. This is a long overdue moment even if it is unlikely Compaoré will ever serve his term.
“Imperialism is a system of exploitation that occurs not only in the brutal form of those who come with guns to conquer territory. Imperialism often occurs in more subtle forms, a loan, food aid, blackmail . We are fighting this system that allows a handful of men on earth to rule all of humanity."
"Comrades, there is no true social revolution without the liberation of women. May my eyes never see and my feet never take me to a society where half the people are held in silence. I hear the roar of women’s silence. I sense the rumble of their storm and feel the fury of their revolt." -Thomas Sankara
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