Thomas Sankara, Africa's Che Trivia Quiz

Answer: Jean-Baptiste Ouédraogo

"We hope and believe that the best way of limiting the usurpation of power by individuals, military or otherwise, is to put the people in charge. Between fractions, between clans, plots and coups d'etats can be perpetrated. Against the people, a durable coup d'état cannot be perpetrated. Therefore, the best way of preventing the army from confiscating power for itself and for itself alone is to make this power shared by the voltaic people from the outset. That's what we are aiming for." Sankara (1983)

While only 33, Sankara became the leader of Burkina Faso, after a coup organised by Blaise Compaore. Sankara identified himself as an anti-imperialist.

Answer: True

Burkina Faso became independent on the 11 December 1958, but was initially called the Republic of Upper Volta. Sankara changed the name during his brief presidency.

Answer: Renault 5

Sankara sold off all the luxury cars in Burkina Faso such as a fleet of Mercedes Benz vehicles, and replaced them with the Renault 5. He also ordered that all civil servants be paid less and were banned from flying first class if the state was paying.

Answer: He confiscated the farm land and allowed peasants to own and control the land directly

The actual figures, according to Wikipedia (sourced) are that the yield raised from 1700 kg per hectare to 3800 kg. This means that those responsible for the actual production of the crop more than doubled the output.

Answer: He learnt to ride a motorcycle

An avid motorcyclist, Sankara actually formed an all-woman bodyguard who were also trained to ride motorcycles.

Answer: False

"The revolution and women's liberation go together. We do not talk of women's emancipation as an act of charity or because of a surge of human compassion. It is a basic necessity for the triumph of the revolution. Women hold up the other half of the sky." Sankara (1983).

Perhaps no leader did more to improve the life of women in his country than Sankara. He actively sought the eradication of forced marriage, female genital mutilation and polygamy in Burkina Faso.

Answer: Controls

Sanakra utilised forums such as the Organisation for African Unity to repudiate foreign aid and foreign intervention in Africa. He also argued that the current exploitation of debt by the West and Russia was a form of Neo-Colonialism.

Answer: True

President Compaore came to power in 1987. He reversed almost all of Sankara's decisions, such as leaving the IMF and the World Bank, and also reversed all the nationalisations.

Answer: He was ambushed by armed soldiers in his home

On the 15th of October 1987, Sankara was ambushed by soldiers waiting in his home. Compaore organised a meeting for that night, and set up the ambush. Sankara was so suprised he is reported to have said: "Blaise, you are my best friend. I called you brother and yet you assassinate me?"

Years later Charles Taylor alleged that he orchestrated the whole plot, as a favour to the CIA.

Answer: 4 years

This was a tragically short period for a man who had some truly inventive ideas on how to run a country.