Likes Given 172 Re: FMES: All African Ex-Presidents & Leaders! Captain Thomas Sankara : (Born 1949 - Died 1987). President (1983 - 1987). Burkina Faso. Captain Thomas Isidore Noël Sankara (December 21, 1949 – October 15, 1987) was the leader of Burkina Faso (formerly known as Upper Volta) from 1983 to