Thomas Sankara – the man and his trial in pictures

  • Sankara, then president of Burkina Faso, leads a press conference in Harare, 1986. AFP
    Sankara, then president of Burkina Faso, leads a press conference in Harare, 1986. AFP
  • Mariam Sankara, widow of Sankara – who was president of Burkina Faso from his coup in 1983 to his deposition and killing in 1987 – sits in the courtroom listening to proceedings. AP
    Mariam Sankara, widow of Sankara – who was president of Burkina Faso from his coup in 1983 to his deposition and killing in 1987 – sits in the courtroom listening to proceedings. AP
  • Police guard the courtroom in Ougadougou, Burkina Faso where 14 people, including former president Blaise Compaore, stand trial charged with the murder of Thomas Sankara. AP
    Police guard the courtroom in Ougadougou, Burkina Faso where 14 people, including former president Blaise Compaore, stand trial charged with the murder of Thomas Sankara. AP
  • Gen Gilbert Diendere is among those charged with Sankara's murder. AP
    Gen Gilbert Diendere is among those charged with Sankara's murder. AP
  • Graffiti near the court in Ouagadougou demands justice for Sankara. Reuters
    Graffiti near the court in Ouagadougou demands justice for Sankara. Reuters
  • Sankara in paratrooper uniform with then-French president Francois Mitterrand in Vittel, France, 1983. AFP
    Sankara in paratrooper uniform with then-French president Francois Mitterrand in Vittel, France, 1983. AFP
  • Sankara sends a new year’s message to the people of Burkina Faso, 1985. AFP
    Sankara sends a new year’s message to the people of Burkina Faso, 1985. AFP
  • Sankara waves to troops in the street of Ouagadougou, 1985. AFP
    Sankara waves to troops in the street of Ouagadougou, 1985. AFP
  • August 4, 1985, and the military was marking the second anniversary of the Burkina Faso revolution. AFP
    August 4, 1985, and the military was marking the second anniversary of the Burkina Faso revolution. AFP
  • Sankara arrives in Harare, Zimbabwe for a summit of non-aligned countries, 1986. AFP
    Sankara arrives in Harare, Zimbabwe for a summit of non-aligned countries, 1986. AFP