The former Burkinabè leader, Blaise Compaoré, exiled in Côte d’Ivoire after the fall of his regime in 2014, sent a message to his compatriots, and particularly to the family of his predecessor Thomas Sankara who was assassinated in 1987, in which he asks forgiveness for the suffering caused during his terms in power.
His statement was read out on Tuesday July 26 by government spokesman Lionel Bilgo. “I apologize to the people of Burkina Faso for all the acts that I may have committed during my magisterium, more particularly to the family of my brother and friend Thomas Isidore Noël Sankara”, indicates the former tenant of the presidential palace of Kossyam.
« I assume and deplore, from the bottom of my heart, all the suffering and drama experienced by all the victims during my mandates at the head of the country and ask their families to grant me their forgiveness », continues the message, the first since that Compaoré was sentenced in absentia to life for the assassination of Sankara, last April.
The former head of state goes further and invites us to work together to end the quarrels. « Together, in a spirit of patriotism, let’s join hands to definitively silence our quarrels and resentments », according to his words.
While his country is facing terrorism which regularly bereaves the population, Compaoré underlined the fact that « it is important today to work for the recovery of territorial integrity, for the reconstruction and (for) the promotion of a environment conducive to sustainable development for all”.
This is, according to him, “the only way that will allow us to put an end to our misunderstandings and inter-community conflicts in order to fight effectively against terrorism which has bled our country so much and shaken its foundations. We can. We owe it to our dear country in a patriotic burst”.
Unsurprisingly, the initiative of the former leader provoked reactions from several political parties, especially inviting them to welcome this request for forgiveness. Eddie Komboigo, president of the Congress for Democracy and Progress (CDP), Compaoré’s party, asked “all the people of Burkina Faso to be attentive, to hear the message and the forgiveness requested; and victims to hear and accept forgiveness. To forgive for history, to forgive to build a nation, a great Nation of tomorrow”.
“We welcome this highly symbolic request for forgiveness by which he shows humility. And we are convinced that the people of Burkina Faso, who are known to be tolerant, will not remain insensitive to this act,” said Abdoulaye Mossé, president of the Pan-African Party for Salvation (PPS).
By OMA Newsletter N° 795 of 07/27/2022
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
