In depth

Burkina Faso’s Thomas Sankara: Who killed ‘Africa’s Che Guevara’?

As the trial for Burkina Faso's Thomas Sankara gets underway, we look back at the long road taken to get to this point, starting from his assassination on 15 October 1987.

Article 1/10

date set

Article 1/10

Burkina Faso: Sankara’s trial to proceed … without Compaoré

Burkina Faso's military prosecutor has announced the opening of a trial of the alleged killers of former President Thomas Sankara and his companions in October 1987. Among the accused is another former president, Blaise Compaoré, who is currently in exile in Côte d’Ivoire - where he has been since his ousting.

Article 2/10

compaoré complicity

Article 2/10

Burkina Faso: Why was Thomas Sankara murdered?

Earlier this month a court in Burkina Faso’s capital indicted former President Blaise Compaoré for his role in the murder of his comrade, Thomas Sankara, on 15 October 1987.

Article 3/10

final act

Article 3/10

Thomas Sankara: last moments, last witnesses, last secrets…

On the 15th of October 1987, the leader of the Burkinabe revolution was assassinated. Two years later, Sennen Andriamirado, editor-in-chief of Jeune Afrique and an acquaintance to the former head of state, published “He was called Sankara”. Here is an account of President of Faso’s last day.

Former Burkinabe president Blaise Compaoré in Milan, 2012. Luca Bruno/AP/SIPA

Article 4/10

Trials and tribulations

Article 4/10

Can former president Compaoré’s trial help to reconcile Burkina Faso?

Will justice finally be served to those responsible for the assassination of Burkina Faso’s former president Thomas Sankara and his allies?

People hold pictures showing former president Thomas Sankara and PM Isaac Zida during funeral service for six people killed during popular uprising of October 30 and 31 in Ouagadougou

Article 5/10

hero perspectives

Article 5/10

“Thomas Sankara had two faces” – Jean-Baptiste Ouédraogo

In “Ma part de verité” (My Share of the Truth), the former Burkinabe president looks back on his time in power and his relations with his former prime minister, Thomas Sankara. He does so at the risk of debunking the Sankara myth and igniting controversy.

Article 6/10

prison diary

Article 6/10

Former Burkinabe President to tell all about Sankara and Compaoré

Long holding his peace, former President Jean-Baptiste Ouédraogo is about to give his version of one of the most controversial pages in Burkina Faso's history: Thomas Sankara's coup d'état that ended his regime on 4 August 1983.

Article 7/10

waiting for justice

Article 7/10

Burkina Faso: Sankara family lawyers push for Compaoré’s extradition

Lawyers for the family of Thomas Sankara, the father of the Burkinabe revolution who was killed in the October 1987 coup d'état, say want former president Blaise Compaoré to face trial, voluntarily or by force.

Article 8/10

Destination: Home

Article 8/10

Burkina Faso: A who’s who of former president Compaoré’s faithful allies

Burkina Faso’s former president Blaise Compaoré is planning to return home soon. Several of his colleagues in Ouagadougou and those in exile in Abidjan will help him do so, along with some of his more loyal party leaders.

Article 9/10

Burkina Faso’s Blaise Campaore says his last word

Blaise Campaore's 27 year rule was brought to an eventful end after unrelenting demonstrations against a bid to extend his reign as president of Burkina Faso. But the country's long road to democratic rule has only just begun.

Article 10/10

in absentia

Article 10/10

Sankara murder: Key defendant Blaise Compaoré enjoys life in exile, dodges trial

The three accused: Blaise Compaoré, Gilbert Diendéré and Hyacinthe Kafando are at the heart of the trial for the assassination of Thomas Sankara which began on 11 October, years after they were first accused of his murder. Now it seems only Gilbert Diendéré will take the stand.

The In Depth Collection