The 13th military tribute ceremony for President Thomas Sankara and his companions was held on November 5, 2026, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. During the ceremony, the Ministry of Agriculture, led by Minister of State Ismaël Sombié, contributed 20 million F CFA to the "Ma Brique pour Sankara" campaign. This initiative aims to collect domestic resources to fund the infrastructure of the Thomas Sankara Memorial.
The "Ma Brique pour Sankara" campaign is an effort to gather resources for the memorial's construction, with various government departments participating by announcing their contributions. According to Minister of Culture Gilbert Ouédraogo, the construction of the mausoleum currently represents only 10% of the overall project. He expressed his gratitude and pride in announcing the Ministry of Agriculture's contribution.
The 13th military tribute ceremony was established by President of Faso Captain Ibrahim Traoré. Gilbert Ouédraogo highlighted that the Progressive Popular Revolution, led by Captain Traoré, aligns with the vision of the August 1983 Revolution, led by Captain Thomas Sankara. The minister emphasized the strong similarities between the actions taken today and those undertaken in the past for the benefit of rural communities.
Thomas Sankara prioritized the valorization of rural areas, implementing a land reform that made land a national property. This struggle is being re-engaged by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who, through the Ministry of Agriculture, contributes to soil restoration and provides subsidies to rural communities. Sankara also abolished the capitation tax to make all Burkinabè equal before the law.
The ideals of Thomas Sankara have become universal, with the municipality of Rome, Italy, naming a park after him in recognition of his vision. Gilbert Ouédraogo stated that the Progressive Popular Revolution, led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, is the path to the emancipation of Burkina Faso and Africans who believe in and draw inspiration from this vision.
The tribute ceremony was executed by the Gendarmerie nationale's escort and honor group. The ceremony included the changing of the guard at the Memorial, a horse parade, and a visit by authorities to the Thomas Sankara Memorial site. The event was attended by various officials and marked a significant moment in honoring Sankara's legacy.
The Ministry of Agriculture's contribution to the "Ma Brique pour Sankara" campaign demonstrates the government's commitment to honoring Sankara's memory and continuing his vision. The campaign aims to collect resources from various sources to complete the memorial project, which will serve as a tribute to Sankara's legacy and a symbol of Burkina Faso's history.
Key points
- The Ministry of Agriculture contributes 20 million F CFA to the "Ma Brique pour Sankara" campaign.
- The construction of the Thomas Sankara Memorial mausolée currently represents only 10% of the overall project.
- The Progressive Popular Revolution, led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, aligns with the vision of the August 1983 Revolution, led by Captain Thomas Sankara.
