Senegal marked the 80th anniversary of the Thiaroye massacre on Sunday, a grim chapter in colonial history where French forces killed scores of African troops in 1944. The commemoration, held at the former military camp in Thiaroye near Dakar, was attended by dignitaries including Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, and heads of state from Mauritania, the Comoros, Gabon, the Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau.
The massacre occurred after 1,600 West African soldiers, captured by Germany while fighting for France during World War II, returned to Dakar in November 1944. These troops, known as tirailleurs sénégalais, demanded equal treatment and the wages owed to them. Tensions escalated when some refused to return to their home countries without their dues. On December 1, French forces opened fire, killing at least 35 men, though historians estimate the death toll could be as high as 400, with many graves remaining undisclosed.
President Faye, in his address, described the event as “a massacre of defenceless African heroes,” adding that it had been shrouded in 80 years of official silence. “The scale of this crime has often been minimized or outright denied by some heirs of those who committed it,” Faye said.
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In a significant gesture, French President Emmanuel Macron referred to the event as a “massacre” in a letter to Faye earlier this week. At the ceremony, Barrot called the killings “a gaping wound in our common history.”
Faye praised Macron’s acknowledgment, describing it as an act of “moral courage.” He announced plans to ensure the massacre becomes a part of Senegal’s collective memory, with school curricula, public squares, and streets dedicated to Thiaroye and the soldiers who lost their lives. “This is not to arouse resentment, anger, or hatred,” Faye emphasized, “but to reveal the truth and ensure it is remembered.”
The anniversary also served as a platform for President Faye to advocate for a new dynamic in Senegal’s relationship with France. Highlighting his campaign promise to reclaim national sovereignty, Faye called for the closure of France’s military base in Senegal, pointing to China as an example of economic partnership without military presence.
“Does China have a military presence in Senegal? No. Does that mean our relations are cut? No,” Faye remarked in an interview, signaling a shift toward partnerships that prioritize economic development over military dependence.
At the Thiaroye cemetery, where 202 graves remain anonymous, Faye underscored the importance of honoring the soldiers’ sacrifices. “It is crucial to pay tribute to these heroes and establish a new relationship with ourselves, our history, and the descendants of the perpetrators of this tragedy,” he said.
As Senegal continues to reflect on its colonial past, the commemoration of the Thiaroye massacre stands as a powerful reminder of the need for truth, reconciliation, and a shared commitment to justice and dignity.