Joseph Ki-Zerbo | |
---|---|
Chairman of Party for Democracy and Progress / Socialist Party | |
In office 2001–2005 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Toma, French Upper Volta | June 21, 1922
Died | December 4, 2006 Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso | (aged 84)
Political party | MLN |
Spouse | Jacqueline Ki-Zerbo |
Occupation | Author |
Awards | Right Livelihood Award |
Joseph Ki-Zerbo (June 21, 1922 – December 4, 2006, Burkina Faso) was a Burkinabé historian, politician and writer. He is recognized as one of Africa's foremost thinkers.
From 1972 to 1978 he was professor of African History at the University of Ouagadougou. In 1983, he was forced into exile, only being able to return in 1992.
Ki-Zerbo founded the Party for Democracy and Progress / Socialist Party. He was its chairman until 2005, and represented it in the Burkina Faso parliament until his death in 2006. A socialist and an advocate of African independence and unity, Ki-Zerbo was also a vocal opponent of Thomas Sankara's revolutionary government.