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Thomas Sankara Quotes

1949–1987 Burkina Faso

Thomas Isidore Noël Sankara (December 21, 1949 – October 15, 1987) was the leader of Burkina Faso (formerly known as Upper Volta) from 1983 to 1987. He was overthrown and assassinated in a coup d'état led by Blaise Compaoré on October 15, 1987, sometimes believed to have been at the instruction of France.

Burkina Faso
Politicians
Socialists

Random Thomas Sankara quote

7 quotes

In these tempestuous times, we can't leave our enemies of the past and the present the monopoly on thought, imagination, and creativity.

When the people stand up, imperialism trembles.

We want to get our army involved with the people in productive work and remind it constantly that, without patriotic training, a soldier is only a criminal with power.

We must choose between champagne for a few or drinking water for all.

Capitalism is the arsonist of our forests.

The revolution and women’s liberation go together. We do not talk of women’s emancipation as an act of charity or out of a surge of human compassion. It is a basic necessity for the revolution to triumph.

We must recognize today that it is normal for the wealthiest to be the greatest thieves. When a poor man steals it is merely a theft, a petty crime — it is solely about survival and necessity. The rich are the ones who steal from the treasury, customs duties, and who exploit the people.

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Thomas Sankara (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.