Blaise Compaore Has Been Charged With The Murder of Thomas Sankara

 

Compaore and Sankara in the 1980s 

Blaise Compaore has been sentenced to life imprisonment in absentia for the murder of Thomas Sankara. The revolutionary leader was killed in a 1987 coup. It was that coup in Burkina Faso that brought Compaore to power. Compaore was found guilty of attack on state security and cover-up of the murder according to the tribunal. This means that he can never return to Burkina Faso without being arrested. Compaore was deposed in 2014 by a coup. Ever since Burkina Faso has been working to get justice for the abuses of the 27 year regime. The problem is his exact location is still unknown. Blaise Compaore could still be in the Ivory Coast. The question remains if  the country in which he is in will extradite him. The murder of Thomas Sankara was not just a loss to Burinka Faso, but all of Africa. He was a leader that promoted  Pan-Africanism, anti-colonial politics, and Marxist thought. Thomas Sankara was able to ban female genital mutilation, polygamy, and was developing programs for poverty reduction. Sadly, he was assassinated and the political vision remains unfulfilled. Sankara's actions continue to inspire generations of African leaders. Most Burkinabe  remember him fondly and as a national hero. Blaise  Compaore might not be in Burkina Faso, but he will not be able to evade justice forever. This sends a message to other former authoritarian leaders that they will be held accountable for their crimes.