Sankara, Thomas Isidore Noël
Although his time in office was short, Sankara's government left a lasting impact on the development of his country. During his presidency, from 1983 to 1987, he changed the name of the nation to Burkina Faso and launched ambitious programs aimed at promoting health and combatting hunger and poverty. These initiatives included mass child vaccination projects, re-forestation efforts, and the construction of a railroad to connect the country's main cities. Sankara sought to create the conditions through which Burkinabè people could pursue their own ambitions and goals.
A combination of domestic opposition groups and factions within the government and army led to Sankara's assassination on October 15, 1987, at the hands of armed men commanded by Captain Gilbert Diendéré, a relative of Blaise Compaoré. In the decades since his death, Sankara became a near-mythical hero, venerated as a dedicated rebel who sought to improve the lives of ordinary people in a poor Sahelian nation. October of 2017 marked the 30th anniversary of Sankara's assassination and ceremonies were held in Burkina Faso, Canada, Italy, and the United States. While his legacy is uncertain and debated, Sankara remains popular among many young people in Burkina Faso and across Africa.
See E. Harsch,
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