On suspicion of murdering a former president in a 1987 coup, the former Burkina Faso leader will be tried

The Paper's trainee reporter Zhu Runyu

Former President Blaise Compaoré of Burkina Faso is currently facing prosecution for allegedly murdering president Sankara, then leader of the Pan-African movement, in a 1987 coup d'état.

The Associated Press reported on Oct. 11 that 14 people, including Compaoré, are about to be tried in a court-martial on suspicion of murdering leftist leader Thomas Sankara, a former president.

According to one document, Compaoré is currently charged with crimes such as endangering national security and hiding corpses. After being forced to resign in 2014, Compaoré chose to go to Côte d'Ivoire and remains with him ever since.

Although Burkina Faso issued a warrant for compaoré six years ago, the Ivorian side refused to extradite him back to his country. Compaoré's former aide, Gilbert Deandere, was similarly indicted.

The trial, which lasted months, was crucial to unearthing the truth about Sankara's death. In 1983, at the age of 33, Sankara and Compaoré staged the "August Coup", which followed Sankara to power. However, compaoré became head of state after another coup d'état in 1987. At the time, Compaoré said Sankara "died in the crossfire." He has since been in power with a tough approach for 27 years. In 2014, local people were dissatisfied with Compaoré's plan to amend the constitution and demanded his resignation.

Farama, a lawyer for Sankara's side, said: "The victim and I hope to get justice and truth from this trial, because there are now two very different accounts of the murder." The military should realize that power has always belonged to the people and that a coup is not legitimate. ”

Drogmo, leader of the Human Rights Movement in Burkina Faso, said: "This trial is an important victory for those who have been fighting against impunity in Burkina Faso. At the same time, we hope that the judicial system will have the professionalism and independence it deserves. ”

Compaoré's lawyer issued a statement saying the former president would not attend the trial because he had not been subpoenaed for questioning before being charged.

Sankara had a profound influence on Burkina Faso, hence the name "African Che Guevara". During his term of office, he changed the name of the country from the French colonial "Upper Volta" to what is now Burkina Faso. In the local Moses and Diuras, the new name means "kingdom of the righteous gentleman.".

In addition, the Sankara government also abolished polygamy and arranged marriages. In the eyes of left-wing advocates of African independence movements, he was a benchmark against Western powers. People who have worked with him have described him as "a president who is dedicated and meticulous about any detail."

Editor-in-Charge: Zhang Wuwei

Proofreader: Shi Gong