OTD 33 years ago, the revolutionary President of Burkina Faso, Thomas Sankara was murdered. His 4 short years as President showed what is possible when people live in harmony with one another and with nature. He proved that "when the people stand up, imperialism trembles".

Here are a few things achieved by Burkina Faso under Sankara's leadership:

- increased the literacy rate from 13% to 73% in 4 years
- took land away from feudal landlords and distributed it among peasants
- Planted over 10 million trees in the Sahel to prevent desertification

- In Ouagadougou (the capital) the army’s provision store was turned into a government supermarket for all
- 2.5 million children were vaccinated against yellow fever, meningitis and measles
- Reduced his own salary to $450 a month

- Outlawed FGM and polygamy in support of women's rights, stating that “the condition of women is therefore at the heart of the question of humanity itself, here, there, and everywhere.”
- sold the government fleet of Mercedes and changed to the cheapest cars available in BF

Thomas Sankara also spoke and fought extensively against imperialism in Africa. Urging for a Pan-African front against unfair debt repayment plans. In his words, "we are fighting this system that allows a handful of men on Earth to rule all of humanity".

Thomas Sankara was truly an upright man. To refer to him as 'The African Che Guevara' reduces his legacy. On the anniversary of his death, we communists have a duty to learn from his example and continue his legacy and the legacy of others like him.