Thomas Sankara

President of Burkina Faso · 1949 – 1987

Thomas Sankara led Burkina Faso from 1983 to 1987, renaming the country and launching programmes in public health, literacy, reforestation and women's rights.

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Heavyweight unisex crew neck in natural off-white, printed to order near you.

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Born: 21 December 1949, Yako, Upper Volta
President: 1983 – 1987
Renamed nation: Burkina Faso, 1984
Died: 15 October 1987, Ouagadougou

Who was Thomas Sankara?

Thomas Sankara was born in 1949 in Upper Volta. A military officer known for his austerity and charisma, he became president in August 1983 at the age of 33.

In 1984 he renamed the country Burkina Faso, "the land of upright people". His government ran mass vaccination and literacy campaigns, planted millions of trees against the advance of the Sahel, and campaigned against forced marriage and female genital mutilation.

Sankara was killed in a coup on 15 October 1987. In 2022 a military court in Ouagadougou convicted his former comrade Blaise Compaoré in absentia for his role in the assassination.

Questions people ask

Why is Thomas Sankara called Africa's Che Guevara?

Because of his revolutionary politics, anti-imperialist speeches and personal austerity. He refused luxuries, cut officials' salaries and drove a modest Renault 5 as president.

What does Burkina Faso mean?

Sankara chose the name in 1984. It combines Mooré and Dioula words and is usually translated as "land of upright (honest) people".

What did Thomas Sankara achieve?

Mass vaccination and literacy drives, large-scale tree planting, land reform, and a public campaign for women's rights, all within four years.

Sources & further reading

Thomas Sankara — Wikipedia

Thomas Sankara

Who was Thomas Sankara?

Questions people ask

Why is Thomas Sankara called Africa's Che Guevara?

What does Burkina Faso mean?

What did Thomas Sankara achieve?

Sources & further reading

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