Sankara is more than a man to me. He is a gift from God. Leaders like him are so few and far between that, at times, we tend to forget that it is possible to be led by a simple, intelligent, self-less fellow human being. We have come to regard politicians as leeches hindering progress, especially in Africa. Sankara proved that you can lead motivated by helping the country and its people develop socially, economically, and politically. After much research into his life, I undertook the task of writing a play based on this great son of Africa. If you don't know about him, please google, wiki, or youtube him. (the reference points these days, lol). The play begins as he is freed from detention by his friend, and installed as the president. Among his first acts is to change the country from Upper Volta to Burkina Faso, meaning Land of Upright Men. The play progresses with the goals he sets for himself and accomplishments in gender equality, public health, social justice, etc. However, this success comes at the expense of alienation of the rich, who are supported by foreign powers. The disgruntled finally convince his best friend to overthrow him in return for riches, and return Burkina Faso to the darkness of poverty and corruption that allows them to once again pillage its resources.
The play's ending will highlight the conflict raging within his best friend as he realizes the consequences and severity of his actions. I will parallel it to the Judas incident in the Bible, but, rather than committing instantaneous suicide, the best friend's demise is a long time coming; culminating, however, in the same destruction of the soul.
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