In a powerful and uncompromising speech delivered at the 39th General Assembly of the United Nations in 1984, Thomas Sankara, the revolutionary leader of Burkina Faso, articulated a radical stance against foreign food aid, arguing that it perpetuated dependency and undermined national sovereignty. His words, rooted in a fierce anti-imperialist philosophy, continue to resonate as a call for African self-reliance and food justice.
Sankara, who served as president from 1983 until his assassination in 1987, famously declared, “He who feeds you, controls you.” This statement encapsulated his belief that food aid was not a benevolent gesture but a tool of neo-colonialism, designed to keep African nations subservient to Western powers. “When you eat grains of millet, imported maize, and rice, that’s imperialism,” Sankara said in a 1987 interview, emphasizing that reliance on imported food stifled local agriculture and instilled a “beggar mentality” among Burkinabè people.
“Our country produces enough to feed us all. Alas, for lack of organization, we are forced to beg for food aid,” Sankara lamented, highlighting the structural issues within Burkina Faso’s agricultural sector. He argued that food aid created speculative markets, enriched intermediaries, and disrupted local grain marketing structures. “We are against the principle of food aid,” he stated, clarifying that his government’s refusal was not born of pride but of a desire to protect the dignity and autonomy of the Burkinabè people.
Sankara’s vision was not merely rhetorical. During his four-year tenure, he implemented bold policies to achieve food sovereignty. His government nationalized land, redistributed it to farmers, and invested heavily in irrigation and agricultural infrastructure, such as the Sourou Valley irrigation project. Cereal production rose by 75% between 1983 and 1986, and by 1987, Burkina Faso was declared food self-sufficient by UN analysts.
Rather than accepting shipments of wheat, millet, or corn, Sankara called for a redefinition of aid. “Those who really want to help us can give us ploughs, tractors, fertilizers, insecticide, watering cans, drills, dams. That is how we would define food aid,” he said, advocating for tools that would empower local farmers to produce their own food.
His critique extended beyond food aid to the broader mechanisms of imperialism. “Imperialism is a system of exploitation that occurs not only in the brutal form of those who come with guns to conquer territory. Imperialism often occurs in more subtle forms—a loan, food aid, blackmail,” Sankara warned, urging African nations to reject aid that came with strings attached.
Despite the 1983–85 drought, which forced his government to accept some Western food aid, Sankara never wavered from his long-term goal of self-sufficiency. His administration established the Ministry of Water in 1984, leading to the construction of thousands of wells and small dams to ensure access to clean water, a critical component of agricultural productivity. “We must choose between champagne for a few, or safe drinking water for all,” he declared, prioritizing the needs of the masses over elite indulgence.
Sankara’s stance drew both admiration and criticism. Supporters hailed his policies as a blueprint for African liberation, while detractors, including Western powers and some African leaders, viewed his rejection of aid as reckless. France, Burkina Faso’s former colonial ruler, reduced economic aid by 80% between 1983 and 1985, partly in response to Sankara’s fiery rhetoric.
Tragically, Sankara’s vision was cut short when he was assassinated in a coup led by Blaise Compaoré in 1987. Many of his reforms were reversed, and Burkina Faso returned to reliance on foreign aid under Compaoré’s regime. Yet, Sankara’s ideas continue to inspire activists and policymakers across Africa. “We are against food aid, but we have never said we will be against using agricultural equipment we call all our wishes,” he said, a reminder that true development lies in empowering people to control their own resources.
As Africa grapples with ongoing food insecurity, Sankara’s words serve as a clarion call: “We must succeed in producing more—because it is natural that he who feeds you also imposes his will.” His legacy challenges the continent to reclaim its agricultural potential and reject the chains of dependency.
Watch the video of his interview below;
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