SANKARA, THOMAS (BURKINA FASO)

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06931680
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: July 13, 2023
• Document Release Date: February 17, 2022
• Case Number: F-2020-00067
• Publication Date: September 6, 1984

Approved for Release: 2022/02/15 C06931680
Thomas
(Phonetic: sa n Hrah)
President, National
Revolutionary Council
(since August 1983)
Addressed as:
Mr. President
Capt. Thomas Sankara installed himself as
Head of State after leading the country's third
coup in as many years. He has since created locally
organized Committees for the Defense of the
Revolution, and he has publicly proclaimed a
nonaligned foreign policy and expressed
unconditional support for worldwide liberation
movements. Soon after taking power, Sankara
made trips to Libya and North Korea and also
established closer ties to the Soviet Union, Cuba, and Albania. Deeply nationalistic, the
President changed the name of his country from Upper Volta to the more indigenous
Burkina Faso in July 1984.
Sankara, who is of mixed Peuhl and Mossi ethnic origin, was born in the north central
town of Yako. After receiving military training at the cadet academy in Antsirabi,
Madagascar, during 1970-72, he returned home, where he earned a reputation as a war hero
in a 1974 border war with Mali. He then received officer's training in France at the
National Center for Commando Training in Mont-Louis and paratroop training at Pau.
During the late 1970s Sankara served as commander of the Paracommando School at Po. In
January 1981 he completed a six-month infantry officer advanced course in Montpellier,
France, and he was later deputy director of operations and training (G-3) on the General
Staff of the Burkinan Army from February until September 1981. He subsequently served
briefly as Secretary of State for Information under President Saye Zerbo and as Prime
Minister in the government of President Jean-Baptiste Ouedraogo.
Sankara, 34, speaks fluent French and some English. He is married and has two
children.
CR M 84-14299
6 September 1984
Approved for Release: 2022/02/15 C06931680