Pritzker Prize-winning architect Francis Kéré has designed a powerful new memorial in Ouagadougou to honour Thomas Sankara, Burkina Faso’s revolutionary leader, and 12 of his aides who were assassinated in 1987.
Standing tall on the historic site of the Conseil de l’Entente, the newly unveiled mausoleum rises over 70 meters and is shaped like an eye—a bold architectural statement representing vigilance and remembrance. Thirteen descending steps built into the design symbolise each of the fallen revolutionaries, forming a tribute to their legacy and vision.
“The mausoleum represents the revolution’s triumph over reactionary forces and Sankara’s sovereignty-driven ideology defeating imperialist ambitions,” said civil society activist Serge Bayala Imotep. “It is a victory of the oppressed over their oppressors—of the colonized over the colonizers.”
Constructed using locally sourced laterite blocks, the structure reflects Sankara’s self-reliance and sustainable development values. The use of natural materials and eco-conscious design echoes his call for African nations to depend on indigenous resources to drive progress.
Burkina Faso’s Prime Minister, Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, described the site as more than a memorial. “This is a place of collective awakening—a symbol of integrity, peace, and social justice. It stands as a tribute to the sacrifice of President Thomas Sankara and his companions.”
Beyond its symbolic architecture, the memorial complex includes a restaurant, media library, workshops, and administrative offices, all connected by a tree-lined promenade. The space is intended to educate, inspire unity, and offer a serene environment for reflecting on Sankara’s enduring ideals of justice, equity, and pan-African dignity.
