Thomas Sankara

Thomas Sankara 1949-1987 born in Yako Upper Volta now Burkina Faso was a charismatic leftish leader in West Africa. He was sometimes nicknamed "Tom Sank". He was considered by some as an "African Che Guevara".

Lieutenant in the Upper Volta Air Force, he was trained as Pilot he and was a very popular figure in Ouagadougou.

Captain Thomas Sankara is appointed Secretary of State for Information in 1981.

Became Prime minister in 1983.

Jailed the same year after a visit of Jean-Christophe Mitterand, this causes popular uprising. A Coup d'état organised by Blaise Compaoré makes Sankara becomes President August 4, 1983 at the age of 33.

The coup d'Etat was supported by Lybia which was at time a "near at war" with France in Chad.

As president he promotes RDP (Révolution Démocratique et Populaire). His governement include a unsually large number of womens. His policy was oriented toward fighting corruption, reforestation, avert famine and prioritising education and health.

He renamed Upper Volta Burkina Faso in 1984. Burkina Faso means "the land of upright people" in Mossi and Dyula, the major native languages of the country

Killed during Coup d'état organised by his "friend" Blaise Compaoré, October 15, 1987.

Played guitar and liked motorbikes.