Burkina Faso has inaugurated a new mausoleum dedicated to revolutionary leader Thomas Sankara and twelve of his associates, who were assassinated in 1987. The mausoleum was designed by Kéré Architecture.
The structure comprises thirteen tombs arranged to align with the sun's path. Each tomb is illuminated hourly by a dedicated skylight, symbolizing remembrance and loss.
Constructed using locally sourced clay and laterite, the building embodies Sankara's dedication to sustainability and self-reliance. The mausoleum represents the initial phase of the Thomas Sankara Memorial Park, which will feature an amphitheater, educational resources, and a symbolic 100-meter tower.
Beyond a mere memorial, the site transforms a place of tragedy into a dynamic space promoting hope, history, and pan-African ideals. These ideals continue to inspire individuals throughout the continent.