Thomas Sankara’s Legacy: Advocating for African Autonomy 

Thomas Sankara, a young and visionary African leader who served as the president of Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta), was tragically killed. Renowned for his radical ideas, Sankara championed African self-sufficiency and true autonomy. At a summit with African leaders, he boldly addressed his counterparts, stating, “You are all wearing shirts from France and shoes from England, while I stand as the only one wearing shoes crafted by my own people, with leather sourced and processed within our borders.”

He then proudly exhibited his footwear, which was just as polished and well-made as the imported ones, and posed the question, “Why don’t we Africans at least produce the clothing we wear?”

Within a month of this courageous declaration, Sankara was assassinated. His death sent a chilling signal: there were powerful interests determined to prevent Africans from charting their own path, becoming self-reliant, and controlling their own resources, education, and livelihoods. His pursuit of authentic independence posed a threat to those benefiting from the existing power structures.