Collective memory: architect Francis Kéré for Thomas Sankara
Thomas Sankara, emblematic figure of the Burkinabè revolution and a pan-African icon, continues to inspire Africa and the world far beyond his tragic death in 1987. Today, the memory of the “African Che Guevara” takes on new meaning through a powerful architectural gesture : the inauguration of the Thomas Sankara Mausoleum in Ouagadougou, designed by Francis Kéré. This monument is not just a tomb; it is a manifesto of memory, transmission, and a vision for the future of the entire continent.
Memory in the city
On May 17, 2025, on the very site of the Conseil de l’Entente where Sankara and his twelve companions were assassinated, Burkina Faso inaugurated a mausoleum of rare symbolic power. This now-sanctified place is conceived as a space for reflection, but also as a tool for education and collective reflection on the history and future of the country and of Africa. The building is part of a larger project : a 14-hectare memorial park that will eventually include an 87-meter tower, a museum, a house of memories, exhibition spaces, innovation workshops, and communal living areas. This architectural ambition reflects the desire to make the site a civic, cultural, and economic hub, worthy of Sankara’s legacy.
The choice of site is significant: it transforms a place marked by pain into a civic and symbolic landmark for the city of Ouagadougou. Architecture thus becomes a tool for reconciling past and present, allowing the city to reclaim its history and pass it on to future generations. The mausoleum fits into an urban dynamic, conceived as a space for living, education, and transmission, in perfect harmony with Francis Kéré’s conviction that architecture must meet the essential needs of communities and integrate seamlessly into the urban fabric.
Architecture as the language of memory
The mausoleum, designed by Francis Kéré, stands out for its blend of tradition and modernity. Its form is inspired by the eye, a symbol of vigilance and transmission, while the circular arrangement of the tombs, the monumental ramp, and the thirteen segments evoke unity and collective sacrifice. The materials used—compressed earth blocks, laterite, granite—embody the choice of autonomy, simplicity, and the valorization of local resources, echoing Sankara’s vision for endogenous and sustainable development.
Inside, light filters through thirteen skylights in the ceiling, creating a luminous effect that evokes the presence of the departed and invites meditation. Sankara’s tomb, placed at the center, is surrounded by those of his companions, aligned from north to south, in a scenography that places collective memory at the heart of the space. This spatial and luminous arrangement makes the mausoleum not only a place of remembrance but also of transmission: each visitor is invited to remember, reflect, and embrace Sankara’s legacy.
A place of transmission and engagement
Beyond commemoration, the mausoleum is intended as a living space: a place where African youth can draw inspiration from Sankara’s journey, reflect on contemporary challenges, and engage with the future. The authorities’ stated objective is clear: to make this site “not only a place of remembrance but also a space for reflection, education, inspiration, and action.” The inauguration ceremony, attended by African heads of state, political and cultural figures, and civil society, underscored the importance of preserving and promoting Sankara’s political legacy, while providing a dignified resting place for those who sacrificed their lives for freedom and justice.
This architectural project is part of an active process of transmission: it is not simply about commemorating the past, but about offering a space where history becomes a driving force for reflection and transformation. The mausoleum is thus designed as an anchor point for collective memory, but also as a laboratory of ideas for the future of Burkina Faso and Africa.
Francis Kéré: builder of memory and the future
Originally from Burkina Faso and trained in Germany, Francis Kéré has established himself as one of the most influential architects of his generation, notably for his ability to combine local materials, community know-how, and contemporary requirements. His contextual approach, deeply rooted in community participation, aims to create places that are meaningful for users while enhancing local identity.
In the case of the Thomas Sankara Mausoleum, Kéré applies these principles: the use of laterite and raw earth, involvement of local artisans, and bioclimatic design for optimal comfort. The building, with its circular forms and play of light, invites meditation and contemplation, while opening up to the city as a vibrant public space. “Building is a communal act in which everyone is useful,” Kéré reminds us, seeing each project as an opportunity to strengthen social bonds and transmit know-how.
Reinventing the memory of African cities
The Thomas Sankara Mausoleum is more than a monument: it is a manifesto for a new way of thinking about urban memory in Africa. By rejecting the imitation of Western models and valuing local resources, Francis Kéré proposes an architecture that dialogues with history, climate, and local practices, while opening the city to new imaginaries.
This architectural gesture, which combines memory and innovation, offers Ouagadougou a place of anchoring and projection, where Sankara’s legacy becomes a driving force for reflection and transformation for the city and its inhabitants. “Think global, act local” is Kéré’s motto, seeing each project as an opportunity to reinvent the African city from its own resources and stories.
Through the Thomas Sankara Mausoleum, Francis Kéré offers Ouagadougou much more than a monument: he inscribes in the city’s memory a space for sharing, transmission, and the future. His architecture, both rooted and innovative, demonstrates that urban memory can be a powerful lever for reinventing African cities and asserting their uniqueness in the contemporary world.
