Burkina Faso avoids the Basket (Mini Timeline)

Please forgive if this seems rushed, this is my first real timeline.
  • In 1987, the Burkina revolution continues. Little known is Blaise Compaoré is plotting to seize power for himself. However, an attendant of Blaise, fearing for his own saftey, "snitches." The latter part of the year, the literacy teaching system is attempted to be fixed. Also more brick factories and rails are constructed. Paranoid, Thomas Sankara centralizes more power around himself, however not out of greed, but out of fear of a "hijacking" of the revolution.
  • In 1988, in a Joint venture with Cuban industrialists, a bicycle factory is set up in Ouagadougou. It is seen as nesasary to get a domestic industry going and cater the need for transportation. Also a goal is set to attempt to electricify the nation in 10 years. More apartments and railways are produced. Tribal tensions increase, with leaders frequently in an attempt to get a final rallying cause against Sankara, attempt to weaponize political islam. Some reportedly receive aid from Saudi Arabia, Libya, and Egypt.
  • An Islamist uprising occurs in Bobo-Dioulasso. Local Commitee for Defense of the Revolution begin to launch Guerrilla warfare against the "counter revolutionaries." A military push removes them from the city, and the leaders are hung.
  • 1989 is known as the "ideological revolution" with Islam being discouraged and mocked following the uprising, as well as Animistic religions. It is compared to the cultural revolution in China. A common practice is forcing Muslims to eat Pork, as well as fasting is banned. Public wearing of the hijab, seen as a tool of oppression, is banned. Cuban agriculturalists aid in food production and technology. Little would they know, they would rely on this small nation for their OWN food in the future.
  • 1990, following many persecutions of Muslims, Gaddafi announces a break in relations. Sankara thus announces Gaddafi a "reactionary maniac." Gaddafi is insulted and attempts to plot an assaination of Sankara, which is foiled. Meanwhile more housing is built, and as the Soviet Union collapses, Cuba purchases more Burkina Faso surplus food, and in exchange assist with education and textile production.
  • 1991, the Soviet Union collapses. A sense of despair occurs in Burkina Faso. Sankara delivers a uplifting speech, "One can kill nations, men, but not ideas. The soviet union shall live in our hearts. Was the Soviet Union a haven at first? No. It was much like us. Isolated, alone, poor, destitute. We must learn from the past and strive for survival." Meanwhile a guitar industry is created, via hand production. Burkina Faso guitars become highly prized across west africa.
  • In 1992, Cuban and Burkina relations further warm. Cuba avoids more OTL level hunger by purchasing surplus Burkina food. In return, Cuba assists in protection by training the military, upgrading equipment, and also creating better industry. Thomas Sankara continues "secularization" of politics, and religious figures are targeting, both Islam, Christian, and 'traditional.' This is compared by some western media outlets to the reign of terror during the French Revolution.
  • In 1993, literacy rates have risen to about 20%, thanks to extensive focus and reforming of the education system. The rate is still quite low due to the fact most of these newly taught students are still quite young.
  • 1994, many Malians are quite tired of the status quo, instability, and corruption. So thus a general seizes power, declaring himself an admirer of Sankara. Quickly, the self proclaimed "Azawad" region declares independence. Busy elsewhere fighting "counterrevolutionaries" Mali declares "autonomy" for azawad, a low key method of recognizing indepedence. However officially, independence will never be fully recognized, out of fear a dangerous precedent of secession might occur. Sankara assists in setting up brick factories for housing.
    1472245832model-houses.jpg
  • a popular "model village" in Burkina faso, above.
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  • popular "alterante" housing
  • Greening continues, with trees being planted along these "model villages."
  • Sankara, Mali, Azawad enter a union. Challenges exist. The revolutionary leader of Azawad purges Azawad tribal leaders, leading to a revolt with much popular support. With much forceful Burkina-Mali assistance, the government wins, leading to political islamisim and tribalism being purged in Azawad...
 
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