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The Forum: Sankara: Africa's Revolutionary President

Sankara: Africa's Revolutionary President

01/09/2018

BBC Radio 4 - The Forum, Sankara: Africa's Revolutionary President

The life and legacy of Thomas Sankara, the revolutionary first president of Burkina Faso.

Bridget Kendall discusses the impact of Thomas Sankara, first president of Burkina Faso, with guests Dr Amber Murrey-Ndewa, Professor Aziz Fall and journalist Lamine Konkobo.

Thomas Sankara is the revolutionary who became the first president of Burkina Faso in West Africa, and gave the country its name, meaning "the land of upright people". In his four years as leader he instituted sweeping reforms to empower rural people and make society more equal. For some Sankara was a hero, for others he was a ruthless autocrat. Now more than 30 years since his mysterious - and as yet unsolved - assassination in 1987, why do memories of him still haunt Africa? Joining Bridget Kendall to discuss Sankara's life and legacy are Dr Amber Murrey-Ndewa from the American University of Cairo, BBC Afrique journalist Lamine Konkobo who comes from Burkina Faso and Aziz Fall, Professor of International Studies in Canada and campaigner for justice on behalf of the Sankara family.

Photo: Thomas Sankara at a press conference in Paris, 1986. (Getty Images).

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