Thomas Sankara: Burkina Faso court refuses to rule on Thomas Sankara:A court in Burkina Faso has refused to rule on a request by the family of ex-President Thomas Sankara for his body to be exhumed for DNA tests.His relatives and supporters condemned the decision, saying they wanted proof that it was his body.The High Court said it lacked jurisdiction over the case.Seen by many as Africas Che Guevara, Mr Sankara was hastily buried after being killed during a 1987 coup led by incumbent President Blaise Compaore.The anti-imperialist revolutionary became president in 1983 after an internal power struggle and led his country for four years. The courts ruling was greeted with outrage and contempt by Mr Sankaras relatives and supporters, reports journalist Chris Simpson from the capital, Ouagadougou.Campaigners say the family never had the chance to identify his body before he was buried in the capitals Dagnoen cemetery.About 100 people protested outside court, chanting down with the Burkinabe judiciary and when will the Burkinabe people know the truth?, AFP news agency reports. Thomas Sankara in 1986 Thomas Sankara was seen by his supporters as incorruptibleSupporters of assassinated Captain Thomas Sankara commemorate the 20-year anniversary of his killing in Ouagadougou (14 October 2007) He remains popular in many parts of Africa.Mr Sankara was killed by a group of soldiers at the age of 37.Public interest in Mr Sankara remains high in Burkina Faso, with opposition group demanding answers about his death, correspondents say. Family lawyer Benewende Sankara said he would appeal against the decision. Thomas Sankara: A captain in Upper Voltas army Instrumental in the coup that ousted Col Saye Zerbo as president in 1982 Took power from Maj Jean-Baptiste Ouedraogo in an internal power struggle and became president in August 1983 Adopted radical left-wing policies and sought to reduce government corruption Changed the name of the country from Upper Volta to Burkina Faso, which means the land of upright men Killed in mysterious circumstances at the age of 37 by a group of soldiers in October 1987.We are not happy, AFP quoted him as saying.President Compaore has so far refused to agree to Mr Sankaras exhumation, and has always denied being involved in the ex-leaders killing. Mr Compaore insists the facts are known and he has nothing to hide, he adds. When Thomas Sankara took power in 1983 he changed the West African states colonial name of Upper Volta to Burkina Faso, which means the land of upright men.His supporters say he was incorruptible, unlike many other African leaders. Mr Sankara was seen as charismatic and wore a beret, leading to comparisons with the Latin American revolutionary Che Guevara.Many taxis across West Africa still have a round sticker of him on their windscreens.
Posted on: Thu, 01 May 2014 16:54:38 +0000
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