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"Our revolution in Burkina Faso draws on the totality of man's experiences since the first breath of humanity. We wish to be the heirs of all the revolutions of the world, of all the liberation struggles of the peoples of the Third World. We draw the lessons of the American revolution. The French revolution taught us the rights of man. The great October revolution brought victory to the proletariat and made possible the realization of the Paris Commune's dreams of justice."--
Thomas Sankara, October 1984

Thomas Sankara led the revolution of 1983 to 1987 in Burkina Faso. In the five speeches contained in this pamphlet, he explains how the peasants and workers of this West African country established a popular revolutionary government and began to fight the hunger, illiteracy and economic backwardness imposed by imperialist domination, and the oppression of women inherited from millennia of class society. In so doing, they have provided an example not only to the workers and small farmers of Africa, but to those of the entire world.

Includesphotos and maps.

Also available in: Spanish, French ... Read more

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An example for Africa and the world
Young people throughout the African continent who are trying to find a way to combat the superexploitation of their countries by the various imperial powers of today often thirst for the speeches and writings of a revolutionary whose life was ended when most of them were children. That revolutionary's name is Thomas Sankara. He was the main leader of a revolution that took place in the West African nation of Burkina Faso, formerly the French, repeat French, colony of Upper Volta; the workers and farmers government he headed up was in power from 1983-87. This was the only Marxist leadership to ever hold power in Africa to this day. Giant first steps were made under this revolution in the liberation of women bythe mobilization of women themselves; dam construction, irrigation, and reforestation projects began, spearheaded by voluntary labor brigades of the most politically conscious and solidarity-motivated workers and peasants; the revolution began to arm the people; and again and again, Sankara pointed to the Cuban revolution as the example for all Africa to emulate ifAfrica's efforts to develop and free itself are to succeed. As the Yankee Empire, in the first place, and French imperialism, in the second place, among others, increasingly use military ( "peacekeeping" ) forces to gain the riches of the African continent; as desertification and AIDS crises, fed by the rapacious "free market" capitalist system, continue to ravage sub-Saharan Africa, Sankara's words and example of revolutionary ACTION are more important than ever. His trenchant critique of both U.S. AND French imperialism are more needed than ever now, including here in the belly of the Imperial Beast, as well.

A modern revolution in West Africa
This is a selection of five speeches by Thomas Sankara, the central leader of the 1983-87 revolution in the west African country of Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta). The revolution was initiated in August, 1983, when a group of military officers seized power and appealed for support from the masses of Burkinabè workers and peasants. It ended when Sankara was assassinated in a military coup. During those four years the revolution proved to be "a movement of the immense majority for the benefit of the immense majority," as Sankara stated in a speech in October, 1983

The Burkina Faso revolution sought to educate and mobilize the masses of working people to work together to climb out ofthe social and economic backwardness that had been imposed on them by French imperialism. The revolutionary leadership organized the masses of people to lay the basis for economic development, to provide food, jobs and housing for all, to expand the accessibility of medical care and primary education to the great majority of the people of this very poor and underdeveloped country.

One major obstacle to progress in Burkina Faso was the degradation of women and the suppression of their capacities to work in all areas of social endeavor. The revolution strove to elevate women's status, to take major strides toward equality in all fields and to encourage them to provide leadership at all levels. As Sankara argued, "we do not talk of women's emancipation as an act of charity or because of a surge of human compassion. It is a basic necessity for the triumph of the revolution. Women hold up the other half of the sky."

The Burkinabè revolution mobilized millions in the campaign to counteract the southward spread of the north African desert. As Sankara explained, "ten million trees have been planted under the auspices of a People's Development Program lasting fifteen
months-a first venture while the five-year plan was being prepared. . . . Explained in this way, our struggle to defend the trees and the forest is first and foremost a democratic struggle that must be waged by the people. The sterile and expensive excitement of a handful of engineers and forestry experts will accomplish nothing! "

One week before his assassination Sankara gave a speech on the twentieth anniversary of the death of Che Guevara, the Argentine Marxist who helped lead the Cuban revolution. Indicating the impact of Che's example within the Burkina Faso revolution, Sankara said, "Every time we think of Che, we will try to be like him, to make this man, the fighter, live again. And especially, every time we think of acting like him, in the spirit of self-sacrifice, in the rejection of bourgeois wealth that tries to alienate us, in refusing the easy path, but also by turning to education and the rigorous discipline of revolutionary morality-every time we try to act in this way, we will have better served Che's ideas and made them known more effectively."

We need Sankara's idea and example more than everT
Thomas Sankara led the revolution of 1983 to 1987 in Burkina Faso is forgotten by many, but as the crisis of capitalist and free market counterrevolution wrecks the lives of Africa's peoples, he and his struggle will be remembered and the answers in this pamphlet will become life and death necessities. In the five speeches contained in this pamphlet, he explains how the peasants and workers of this West African country established a popular revolutionary government and began to fight the hunger, illiteracy and economic backwardness imposed by imperialist domination, and the oppression of women inherited from millennia of class society. In so doing, they have provided an example not only to the workers and small farmers of Africa, but to those of the entire world.

Right now, it is not only Africans who need a government based on working people and not the rich, but millions of us in the rest of this world wracked by war, economic, crisis, and a future that seems grimmer and grimmer each day.


While this book may be listed as unavailable on Amazon from time to time, it is now always available on Amazon Marketplace seller Pathfinder's z-shop that you can find by clicking on new and used on the top of the page. ... Read more

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The change in name from Upper Volta to Burkina Faso has mirrored equally important changes in the country's lifestyle. Yet despite numerous military and civilian governments since 1960, Burkina Faso still faces many of the same challenges it confronted decades ago: malnutrition, drought, lack of natural resources, debt, and the difficulties of industrial development in a region that is often unstable. At the same time, the people of Burkina Faso prove to be hard working and resourceful, and have persevered through many harsh conditions, and continue to improve the standard of living in their nation. The "Historical Dictionary of Burkina Faso" is the second edition of Daniel McFarland's "Historical Dictionary of Upper Volta" from 1978. As with the earlier edition, this volume provides information on important persons, places and events, political parties, government organizations, economy, and culture. Most importantly, new entries update information on occurrences in the twenty years that have intervened between the two volumes, providing perspectives on recent social, international, political, and cultural issues. The book also includes a detailed chronology of the history of Upper Volta/Burkina Faso, from precolonial times to the current changes in governmental structure and Burkina Faso's relationship to other countries in the region, many in similar situations. The bibliography in the current edition contains 1300 entries, more than one-third in English, versus the 600 entries found in the 1978 edition, and increases the number of English language sources considerably. With such a substantial revision, scholars and librarians will find the "Historical Dictionary of Burkina Faso" a major addition to their collection. The expansion in resources and materials of interest, as well as the chronological and governmental updates, make this new edition an unavoidable part of any complete collection. ... Read more

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Nuestra revolución en Burkina Faso se inspira en todas las experiencias de los hombres desde el primer aliento de la humanidad. Queremos ser los herederos de todas las revoluciones del mundo, de todas las luchas de liberación de los pueblos del Tercer Mundo. Sacamos lecciones de la Revolución Americana. La Revolución Francesa nos enseñó; los derechos del hombre. La gran Revolución de Octubre permitió la victoria del proletariado e hizo posibles los sueños de justicia de la Comuna de París.
--Thomas Sankara

Thomas Sankara dirigió la revolución de 1983 a 1987 en Burkina Faso. En los cinco discursos aquí incluidos, explica cómo los campesinos y trabajadores de este país de África occidental establecieron un gobierno popular revolucionario y comenzaron a combatir el hambre, el analfabetismo y el atraso económico impuestos por la dominación imperialista, así como la opresión de la mujer heredada de milenios de sociedad de clases. Al hacerlo, han ofrecido un ejemplo no sólo a los trabajadores y pequeños agricultores de África, sino a los del mundo entero.

Prefacio, introducción, mapa, fotos, índice.

También disponible en: English, French ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

We need Sankara's idea and example more than ever
Thomas Sankara led the revolution of 1983 to 1987 in Burkina Faso is forgotten by many, but as the crisis of capitalist and free market counterrevolution wrecks the lives of Africa's peoples, he and his struggle will be remembered and the answers in this pamphlet will become life and death necessities. In the five speeches contained in this pamphlet, he explains how the peasants and workers of this West African country established a popular revolutionary government and began to fight the hunger, illiteracy and economic backwardness imposed by imperialist domination, and the oppression of women inherited from millennia of class society. In so doing, they have provided an example not only to the workers and small farmers of Africa, but to those of the entire world.

Right now, it is not only Africans who need a government based on working people and not the rich, but millions of us in the rest of this world wracked by war, economic, crisis, and a future that seems grimmer and grimmer each day.


While this book may be listed as unavailable on Amazon from time to time, it is now always available on Amazon Marketplace seller Pathfinder's z-shop that you can find by clicking on new and used on the top of the page.
... Read more

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This volume in the "Marxist Regimes" series examines three African Marxist states which were formerly French colonies: Benin is discussed by Chris Allen, The Congo by Michael Radu and Keith Somerville, and Burkina Faso by Joan Baxter and Keith Somerville. From Independence in 1960 until Major Kerekou's 1972 coup, Benin was the least stable state in Africa. Since then, Benin has been a stable Marxist regime. Part 1 investigates the sources of the earlier unrest, the process of stabilization and its relationship to the radicalization of Benin's politics. Its claims to socialism are assessed and its gradual renewed contact with Western and capitalist systems in the 1980s is noted. The Peoples' Republic of Congo is the oldest self-proclaimed Marxist-Leninist regime in sub-Saharan Africa. In Part 2, its political development is traced from Independence in 1960 to the Sassou-Ngouesso regime and the institutionalization of radicalism. The role of oil and the vulnerability of a one-commodity economy are covered, along with the Congo's part in the Angola-Zaire conflict and in Chad's civil war. Burkina Faso, formerly Upper Volta, also gained independence in 1960.The subsequent coups and involvement of the military in government are covered here, alongside the economic development plans and efforts of "national recovery". The name Burkina Faso was adopted in 1984. ... Read more

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"Our revolution in Burkina Faso draws on the totality of man's experiences since the first breath of humanity. We wish to be the heirs of all the revolutions of the world, of all the liberation struggles of the peoples of the Third World. We draw the lessons of the American revolution. The French revolution taught us the rights of man. The great October revolution brought victory to the proletariat and made possible the realization of the Paris Commune's dreams of justice."
--Thomas Sankara, October 1984

Thomas Sankara led the revolution of 1983 to 1987 in Burkina Faso. In the five speeches contained in this pamphlet, he explains how the peasants and workers of this West African country established a popular revolutionary government and began to fight the hunger, illiteracy and economic backwardness imposed by imperialist domination, and the oppression of women inherited from millennia of class society. In so doing, they have provided an example not only to the workers and small farmers of Africa, but to those of the entire world.

Also available in: French, Spanish ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

We are the heirs of the World's Revolutions. Speches from the Burkina Faso revolution 1983-87(2nd edition)
This book was a great rememberence of Capitain Thomas Sankara who is my idole, the book helps me understand more who he was and what did he want his country and our great continent. It is unfortunate that he was not well undeerrstood by some of his countrymates unlike the Western continents people. His speeches in thie book were more than appealing to the Burkinabe to look forward a better future and more independent than ever before. Peace be upon him may his soul rest in peace.Amen ... Read more

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2009 Reprint,updated,printed ""on demand"" - Burkina Faso Country Study Guide ... Read more

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This book aims to examine the impact of fiscal decentralizationon subnational resource mobilization capacity, and on macroeconomicstability, in four African countries. Field research conducted inBenin, Burkina Faso, Ghana and Mali, constituted the basis for arigorous and detailed examination of the decentralization process ineach country.One of the intriguing findings is that increased subnational taxautonomy significantly reduces the size of the central government andimproves the central government budget balance in the samplecountries. Recommendations are: (a) the design and implementation ofdecentralization mechanisms must be based on the principles ofstability, transparency, accountability, and equity; (b) frequentdialogue between the central and sub-national governments, and anactive association and cooperation of local and regional levels ofgovernment in the formulation of macroeconomic objectives will improvethe chances of successful decentralization programs; (c) authoritiesmust heighten their campaigns to educate local populations ondecentralization reforms. Full and educated participation of allcitizens at the grassroots level is critical to the success ofdecentralization programs.In all, the book focuses its analysis on the capacity of localcommunities in Africa for autonomous development and self-governance,and that, is a refreshing addition to the literature. ... Read more

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A Critique of a Compelling and Extraordinary Book
The ways in which Dr. Boko analyzed the economical developments in many West African countries was outstanding.He was able to convey a detailed and well organized examination of the impact of the fiscal decentralization on subnational resource mobilization capacity and macroeconomic stability.

Usually economic books are extremely dense and quite frankly "hard reads" but Decentralization and Reform in Africa was not.Indeed it was thought-provoking and complex, but Boko seemed to relate ideas and recommendations in an understandably unique fashion.

In the end, it was quite simply a great read.I look forward to future works by this author. ... Read more

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There is no true social revolution without the liberation of women,explains the leader of the 1983-87 revolution in Burkina Faso. Workers and peasants in that West African country established a popular revolutionary government and began to combat the hunger, illiteracy, and economic backwardness imposed by imperialist domination.

Preface, introduction, map, photos, index.

Also available in: Spanish, French, Farsi ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

"...a gem of a pamphlet..."
Among the many useful titles on women's liberation published by Pathfinder Press sits a gem of a pamphlet titled Women's Liberation and the African Freedom Struggle. It contains the full text of a speech given by Thomas Sankara, the revolutionary leader of the West African country Burkina Faso (formally Upper Volta) until his assassination in 1987.

Sankara gives his speech to thousands of Burkinabe women gathered to commemorate International Women's Day on March 8, 1987. His speech is bereft of the dogma and the rhetoric normally seen in capitalist politicians and is remarkably direct but sincere.

Sankara devotes a good portion of the speech detailing the specific challenges confronting African women in pursuit of their liberation on the continent. Based on a Marxist understanding of the development of class society he points to this fact as the origin of women's oppression.

Sankara puts the fight of Burkinabe women as part of the struggle for women's liberation world wide. A special strength of the speech is when Sankara stresses how the emancipation of women goes hand in hand with "the struggle for the rehabilitation of our continent".

For supporters of women's rights this pamphlet is a must read.

Africa Women Revolution all together and real
Sankara's speech isn't abstract rhethoric--what we used to call rapology int he days of the civil rights movement. It is practical leadership by a real revolutionist battling reaction, imperialism,and the weight of history, in a battle that he would give his life to.Listen to these words for what they say about the realities of the need to liberate women not just in Africa but throughout the World!


While this book may not be directly available from Amazon at times, they are available from the booksfrompathfinderon Amazon that you can find by clicking on the new and used books on this page.

the emancipation of women and the emancipation of Africa
These two issues strike at the heart of many struggles today.Sankara was the leader of a 1983 anti-imperialist revolution in the west African nation of Burkina Faso (known as Upper Volta in colonial times).He is unsparing in his condemnation of those who assert that traditional African values justify the isolation and oppression of women.

He calls on women to rise against the sexism of tribal, neo-colonial and capitalist eras that prevent their equal participation in society.He explains to male Burkinabe workers and peasants the necessity of this in order to fight for the liberation of their nation from colonialism and capitalism. ... Read more