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| Picture of IBRAHIM TRAORÉ |
In a significant symbolic act, Burkina Faso's military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has inaugurated a newly constructed mausoleum dedicated to the memory of Thomas Sankara, the revolutionary leader assassinated in 1987, and twelve other Burkinabè patriots who died alongside him.
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| Picture of Thomas Sankara |
The memorial, built on the very site where Sankara and his comrades were killed, serves as a powerful reminder of the ideals and sacrifices made during a tumultuous period in Burkina Faso's history. The inauguration marks a deliberate effort by the Traoré government to honor Sankara's legacy and acknowledge the often-overlooked contributions of those who perished with him.
The announcement, circulating widely on social media, emphasizes the importance of remembering not only Sankara, but also the twelve other "brave Burkinabè" who were killed in the same location. The post laments what it perceives as a media silence surrounding these individuals, arguing that their sacrifices deserve equal recognition.
The names of the twelve individuals are listed to ensure their inclusion in the historical narrative:
PAULIN BAMOUNI
BONAVENTURE COMPAORE
ABDOULAYE GOUEM
SIBIRI PATRICE ZAGRE
FREDERIC KIEMDE
PATENEMA SORE
AMADOU SAWADOGO
NOUFFOU SAWADOGO
CHRISTOPHE SABA
WALILAYE OUEDRAOGO
SOMDA DER
EMMANUEL BATIONO
The social media post accompanying the announcement urges Africans to "stand firm and defend our heroes," cautioning against collaboration with perceived enemies to "demonize" them. The message draws a parallel between the efforts to honor Sankara and the perceived demonization of Captain Ibrahim Traoré himself and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, a Nigerian separatist leader, framing the dedication of the mausoleum as an act of defiance against external pressures and a commitment to preserving African sovereignty and honoring its own historical figures.
The construction of the mausoleum and the public honoring of Thomas Sankara align with Captain Traoré's broader political agenda, which emphasizes Pan-Africanism, self-reliance, and a rejection of neo-colonial influences. The gesture is likely to resonate deeply with segments of the Burkinabè population who view Sankara as a symbol of hope and progress, and who support Traoré's efforts to assert greater control over the country's destiny.