Le Panafricain Sankara #ibrahimtraoré

Thomas Sankara, president of Burkina Faso from 1983 to 1987, implemented a radical self-reliance policy rooted in anti-imperialism, Pan-Africanism, and Marxist principles. His vision aimed to break Burkina Faso’s dependence on foreign aid, reject neocolonial influences, and empower the Burkinabè people through grassroots development. Below is an overview of his self-reliance policies and their enduring legacy, based on historical accounts and analysis.

Self-Reliance Policies
Economic Independence and Debt Rejection:
Sankara rejected loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, viewing them as tools of neocolonial control. He famously stated, “Debt is a cleverly managed reconquest of Africa”.

He advocated for African nations to collectively resist foreign debt, arguing that repayment perpetuated dependency. At the 1987 Organisation of African Unity summit, he called for a united front against debt, saying, “If we don’t repay, lenders will not die. But if we repay, we are going to die”.

To boost domestic revenue, he nationalized land and mineral wealth, redirecting resources to local development. Cereal production rose by 75% from 1983 to 1986, achieving food self-sufficiency, as recognized by UN analysts.

Agrarian and Land Reforms:
In August 1984, Sankara nationalized all land, abolishing traditional systems where local chiefs controlled land use and imposed tribute payments. This redistributed land to peasants, spurring agricultural productivity.

His policies banned colonial taxes and invested heavily in agriculture, including irrigation and fertilization schemes, to ensure food security. He emphasized, “The imported rice, maize, and millet; that is imperialism”.
Initiatives like the “one village, one grove” policy promoted local food production and self-sufficiency, reducing reliance on imported goods.

Social and Infrastructure Development:
Sankara launched a nationwide literacy campaign, raising the literacy rate from 13% in 1983 to 73% by 1987. He saw education as critical for empowering citizens to drive their own development.

His health programs vaccinated 2.5 million children against measles, meningitis, and yellow fever, reducing child mortality by 50%. Health centers and schools were built without foreign aid, often through collective labor.

Infrastructure projects, like railway extensions for manganese transport and thousands of housing units, were funded domestically through public contributions, including a mandatory one-month salary donation from civil servants.

Environmental Stewardship:
Sankara was a pioneer in environmental policy, initiating a tree-planting program that saw 10.5 million trees planted in 15 months to combat desertification. Tree planting became a cultural practice, integrated into celebrations like birthdays and weddings.

He banned random logging and unrestricted cattle grazing, addressing ecological degradation in a country heavily reliant on agriculture.

Women’s Emancipation:
Sankara viewed gender equality as integral to self-reliance, stating, “There is no true social revolution without the liberation of women”. He banned forced marriages, polygamy, and female genital mutilation, while appointing women to high government positions.

Policies like pregnancy leave during education and equal pay advocacy empowered women to contribute to national development.

Anti-Corruption and Austerity:
To fund self-reliance, Sankara slashed bureaucratic salaries, sold government luxury cars, and banned the use of air conditioning in his office to symbolize solidarity with the poor.
He established Popular Revolutionary Tribunals to prosecute corrupt officials, though these were criticized for human rights violations, including arbitrary detentions.

Legacy
Sankara’s assassination in 1987, orchestrated by Blaise Compaoré with alleged French and Ivorian backing, abruptly ended his reforms. Compaoré reversed nationalizations, rejoined the IMF and World Bank, and dismantled most of Sankara’s policies, leading to a resurgence of foreign dependency. Despite this, Sankara’s legacy endures:
Inspiration for Pan-Africanism and Anti-Imperialism:
Sankara remains an icon of Pan-Africanism, often called “Africa’s Che Guevara”. His rejection of foreign aid and debt resonates with modern African movements advocating for economic sovereignty.

His speeches, compiled in works like Thomas Sankara Speaks and We Are Heirs of the World’s Revolutions, continue to inspire activists globally. His call for Africans to “produce what they consume” underscores sustainable development.

Influence on Policy and Movements:
Ghana’s “Ghana Beyond Aid” initiative, launched in 2017, echoes Sankara’s self-sufficiency model, with programs like “One Village, One Dam” mirroring his agricultural policies.

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