Desecration of the late President Sankara’s tomb

It is with great emotion and profound dismay that we, members of the family of the late President Thomas Sankara, have learnt of the horrible news regarding the desecration of the tomb of Thomas Sankara in the cemetery of Danoen in Ougadougou. In the face of such an unspeakable horror, we can only express our rage and indignation, but also our firm condemnation of this act. Attacking the burial place of Thomas Sankara is, without a doubt, an insult to his memory and to those who are buried close by. It leaves one to speculate that the authors of this barbaric act wanted to tarnish this great man, who even in death, continues to humiliate the authors and financiers of his assassination. Beyond the disgrace of this act, which is contrary to the secular values of Burkinabé society, it is symptomatic of the denial of justice that continues to mark his assassination. More generally, it demonstrates the impunity which characterizes the regime of Blais Compaore.

It is also evident to us that this desecration, including the strange liquid poured onto Thomas Sankara's tombstone, serves to challenge the legal actions that we have taken in Burkina Faso in order to establish and certify that the body of President Sankara actually lies with those of the thirteen others who were shot down the night of October 15, 1987. This action, which has been ongoing for many years, is an attempt to try to ensure Thomas Sankara’s effective and inalienable right to an honourable burial place. It will allow my family, my children and me to finally begin the difficult task of mourning – something that those who cowardly assassinated Thomas Sankara have prevented us from doing up until today.

This vile and unacceptable desecration confirms that the Machiavellian mausoleum project and rehabilitation started by Blaise Compaore is but smoke and mirrors. It is there to blind us and end the vigilance that many of us throughout the world have fought to maintain in order that the truth behind his assassination can finally come to light.

Therefore, we ask that all means are used by the Burkinabé state to apprehend and sanction the authors of this barbaric act and to ensure that this type of behaviour does not go unpunished. We are not under any illusion regarding the potential outcome of our motions as a result of the impunity that reigns in Burkina Faso. The assassination of Thomas Sankara, that of journalist, Norbert Zongo, and most recently the death of the young, Justin Zongo, and many other sad stories demonstrate the impunity that persists.

We call on the people of Burkinabé to mobilise against this impunity from which no one is safe.

Montpellier, July 29, 2011
For the family
Mariam SANKARA