cross-posted from: https://hexbear.net/post/5842507

At the entrance of the memorial, built on the very site where the revolutionary leader was executed, and where he had renamed the country from the colonial “Upper Volta” to Burkina Faso, the “Land of Upright People”, a retired man helps others lay stones on the sidewalk.

He is Valentin Sankara, Thomas Sankara’s younger brother. But when welcoming BdF, he offers his gratitude to another captain, the man responsible for inaugurating the space he now works on.

The connection to the country’s revolutionary past is unmistakable. As in the 1980s, Traoré has re-nationalized gold reserves, Burkina Faso is the world’s fourth-largest gold producer, and is implementing measures to break from the French-backed CFA franc. He has launched an ambitious plan for industrialization and agricultural expansion. Over the last two years, portraits and iconic quotes from Thomas Sankara have accompanied Traoré’s speeches and public appearances.

Valentin Sankara sees today’s Burkina Faso as a continuation of the Democratic and Popular Revolution (RDP) initiated by his brother on August 4, 1983.

World Bank data published in mid-July shows Burkina Faso’s economy grew from 3% in 2023 to 4.9% in 2024. Improved security across multiple regions and a strong push for food self-sufficiency are among the key drivers of the increase, according to the institution.

If you had any skepticism about Traore, this should do away with it:

According to the Bank, more than 700,000 people escaped extreme poverty in the past 12 months alone. “All the work we’re doing is a contribution from the Burkinabé people as a whole,” Valentin summarizes.

Much much more in the article, go read it!