Captain Ibrahim Traoré is now emulating the revolutionary President Thomas Sankara. That is done by changing the national motto or slogan. As his taking away the counter-revolutionary slogan that is there today and revising it back to Sankara’s vision.
The slogan of the Burkina Faso 1983 revolution was: “fatherland or death, we shall overcome” and the successor changed it too: “Unity-Progress-Justice”.
Now the hero of the republic is getting back. His words and remembrance is taking over. That’s the gist here. It is giving Sankara legacy a second coming. The revolutionary works of him is now becoming vastly important.
It is easy to amend the laws and change this. That isn’t costly for the military junta, which are in total control in Burkina Faso. This is just mere posturing and easily “patriotic” message to sell to the masses. Meanwhile, the military commanders and the ones in office can do whatever they feel like.
This is certainly tarnishing the years of former President Blaise Compaoré, the henchman and the one who was in-charge of the assassination of Thomas Sankara. Now the predecessor’s legacy and works are getting revitalized. While the time of Blaise Compaoré is getting erased. That shows whose legacy matters and what ideals that the Republic has.
Captain Traoré is now copying and wanting to use the slogan of the Burkinabe revolution of the 1980s. That is an interesting move, as a man under fire and had several attempts of overthrow. Already been plenty of cases and starting mutinies that has ended in nowhere. As well, as some who as aimed at him too and tried to assassinate him too. Therefore, his not a safe man or has the complete trust within his ranks.
So to use Sankara to gain popularity and easily political capital makes sense. That is an easy way of showing proves and uniqueness. As well, as establishing himself as a revolutionary, which we know he wants to be. Even if he clings to power and trying to forge the narrative of the leader he wants to be. Time will really tell if that is all true, because right now his just copying the national hero.
It is easy to copy and take someone’s motto or slogan. It is harder to act like and be like a hero. That costs and takes a lot of action.
This feels like easy political capital for Captain Traoré and that’s it. Peace.
MinBane 