Thomas Sankara, often called the African Che Guevara, was
president of Burkina Faso, one of the poorest countries in Africa,
until his assassination during the military coup that brought down
his government. Although his tenure in office was relatively short,
Sankara left an indelible mark on his country's history and
development. An avowed Marxist, he outspokenly asserted his
country's independence from France and other Western powers while
at the same time seeking to build a genuine pan-African
unity.
Ernest Harsch traces Sankara's life from his student days to his
recruitment into the military, early political awakening, and
increasing dismay with his country's extreme poverty and political
corruption. As he rose to higher leadership positions, he used
those offices to mobilize people for change and to counter the
influence of the old, corrupt elites. Sankara and his colleagues
initiated economic and social policies that shifted away from
dependence on foreign aid and toward a greater use of the country's
own resources to build schools, health clinics, and public works.
Although Sankara's sweeping vision and practical reforms won him
admirers both in Burkina Faso and across Africa, a combination of
domestic opposition groups and factions within his own government
and the army finally led to his assassination in 1987.
This is the first English-language book to tell the story of
Sankara's life and struggles, drawing on the author's extensive
firsthand research and reporting on Burkina Faso, including
interviews with the late leader. Decades after his death, Sankara
remains an inspiration to young people throughout Africa for his
integrity, idealism, and dedication to independence and
self-determination.
General
Imprint: |
Ohio University Press
|
Country of origin: |
United States |
Series: |
Ohio Short Histories of Africa |
Release date: |
November 2014 |
First published: |
2014 |
Authors: |
Ernest Harsch
|
Dimensions: |
179 x 110 x 10mm (L x W x T) |
Format: |
Paperback
|
Pages: |
163 |
ISBN-13: |
978-0-8214-2126-0 |
Categories: |
Books >
Humanities >
History >
General
Books >
History >
General
|
LSN: |
0-8214-2126-3 |
Barcode: |
9780821421260 |
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