Martyred Marxist revolutionary and president of Burkina Faso from 1983-1987, Thomas Sankara inspires us all in life and in death. He fought against the plunder of natural resources, and for equality and women’s rights. He remains a fiercely shining beacon in the continuing struggle against debt as an instrument of imperialist domination and enslavement of the South.
In his words, “Debt cannot be repaid, first because if we don’t repay, lenders will not die. That is for sure. But if we repay, we are going to die. That is also for sure. Those who led us to indebtedness gambled as if in a casino. As long as they had gains, there was no debate. But now that they suffer losses, they demand repayment. And we talk about crisis….”
Many women and men activists and leaders came before Sankara, across various global regions, and many more are rising in the path they have paved for us that leads to genuine change and social transformation.
As the trial for his assassination begins today, 34 years after the crime was committed and four days shy of his death anniversary, we join in solidarity, from Asia to demand –
Justice for Sankara! Justice for all victims of political repression!
Cancel the debt! Cancel all illegitimate debts!