The Life and Death of Thomas Sankara (E26) Sample

August 3
8 mins

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Episode Description

The Marxist, Pan-Africanist revolutionary from Burkina Faso is our subject. Thomas Sankara was president of the country from 1983 to 1987, but was ultimately betrayed by the man closest to him. His legacy continues to inspire and energize revolutionaries across the world. Your hosts are Julian Feeld and Jon Gabrus.

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Episode researched and written by Gabriel Rocha Gaspar. Edited by Ty Wood. Theme song by Thiago França. Cover art by Ruben Gerard. Super Structure selection of the week is Djougou Toro by Volta Jazz. Other music used in episode: Djôn'maya by Victor Démé.

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Bibliography

  • The Siege (1998) DJaffré, Bruno. Biographie de Thomas Sankara: La patrie ou la mort… Nouvelle édition revue et augmentée. Paris: L’Harmattan, 2007.
  • Sankara, Thomas. A emancipação das mulheres e a luta de libertação da África. Petrópolis: Vozes, 2025. (Portuguese translation of the 8 March 1987 speech)
  • Jaffré, Bruno (ed.). Thomas Sankara: La liberté contre le destin – Discours rassemblés et présentés par Bruno Jaffré. Paris: Éditions Syllepse, 2017.
  • Murrey, Amber (ed.). A Certain Amount of Madness: The Life, Politics and Legacies of Thomas Sankara. London: Pluto Press, 2018.
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