Burkina Faso Pres promises justice for Thomas Sankara

By Alpha Kamara

Burkina Faso

The President of Burkina Faso has assured the world that the killers of their strong man Thomas Sankara will soon face justice.

President Roch Marc Kabore spoke at the Presidential Palace in Dakar on Friday night at a joint security press briefing with Senegal's President Macky Sall.

"I can assure you that I have instructed the justice ministry to take all the necessary steps to ensure the killers of our great leader face justice. This will be done soon” President Kabore assured.

Thomas Sankara, former President of Burkina Faso, also called the upright man, was assassinated on Oct. 15, 1987 including his driver and two bodyguards. 

He ruled Burkina Faso named Upper Volta at the time from 1983 until his death in 1987 after leading a coup. His main goal was to eliminate corruption and the dominance of the French colonial power.

An autopsy done on his exhumed body in 2015 confirmed he was shot and his parts mutilated. His family and supporters have been calling for justice and they also want him reburied in a dignified way. His name is amongst the greatest African leaders of the 80’s.

President Roch Mack Christian Kabore also stressed the importance of peace and security in Burkina Faso and said during this three day visit, he will sign lots of security and developmental agreements with Senegal in the interest of the two countries.

Host President Macky Sall says Senegal will support and collaborate with the G5 Sahel countries, a regional organization regrouping Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso and Chad, in the fight against terrorism.

"We are going to collaborate with the G5 force, because we have borders with two countries in the Sahel, Mauritania and Mali. We have signed defense agreements with each of these countries for security operations and joint patrols” he added.