Burkina faso: The rehabilitation of the memory of Captain Thomas Sankara constitutes a 'relief and a comfort' for his family, his younger brother, Valentin Sankara, affirmed on Thursday in Bobo-Dioulasso, welcoming the initiatives of the authorities through the International Committee of the Thomas Sankara Memorial (CIMTS).

According to Burkina Information Agency, Valentin Sankara expressed his satisfaction with the efforts undertaken to promote the ideals of the father of the Burkinabe Revolution and to advance the construction of his memorial. He noted that the memorial project represents a significant step forward for the Sankara family after years of anticipation. "We have long hoped for the realization of such a project. Now that the authorities have taken matters into their own hands, it is a very good initiative," he praised.

At the 22nd edition of the National Culture Week (SNC), the International Committee of the Thomas Sankara Memorial has set up a stand to promote the ideals of the revolutionary leader and the "My Brick for Sankara" campaign, which aims to mobilize popular and financial support for the memorial's construction. Nicole YAMEOGO/KI, the committee's communications officer, expressed delight over the enthusiasm shown by festival-goers for this initiative. "We brought Sankara to the SNC and we are seeing a real enthusiasm around him. The SNC is a showcase that we have been able to exploit," she said.

Ms. YAMEOGO highlighted the event's role as a platform for public awareness, noting that it allowed for effective grassroots campaigning and dissemination of information about the campaign. "The SNC is a meeting place. It's an opportunity to conduct a grassroots campaign and get the right message across about 'My Brick for Sankara'," she explained.

Participation in the SNC has enabled the committee to engage with a broader audience than typically accessible in Ouagadougou. "Since our arrival, we have reached a target audience that we would not have been able to reach otherwise. The number of visitors to our stand is satisfactory," Ms. YAMEOGO remarked. She also welcomed the initial contributions recorded as part of the campaign, indicating growing public support for the memorial's construction.

Beyond the mausoleum, which the State fully funds on the Thomas-Sankara Memorial site, plans include 16 additional educational, cultural, and civic infrastructures. For these projects, estimated at 117 billion FCFA, the International Committee of the Thomas-Sankara Memorial is appealing for contributions from citizens, the diaspora, public and private partners, and friends of Burkina Faso globally, totaling four billion FCFA. Contributions can be made in various forms, including cash, mobile money, bank transfers, or via the platform.