By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Senegal is commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Thiaroye massacre, where hundreds of African soldiers, who had fought for France during WWII, were killed by French troops in 1944 after demanding unpaid wages. Biram Senghor, whose father may have been among the victims, said, “I have been fighting to get answers for over 80 years. France has to repent.”
While French President Macron recently recognized the massacre, he did not mention the number of soldiers killed. Macron stated, “France must recognize that on that day, the confrontation… triggered a chain of events that resulted in a massacre.”
However, many historians, like Martin Mourre, argue that the soldiers were executed, not involved in a confrontation: “What happened on December 1st was the execution of unarmed soldiers.”
Senegal’s President Faye vowed to make Thiaroye part of the nation’s history, saying, “What we are doing here is part of our duty of remembrance and to discharge a moral debt towards the riflemen and their families.”
The calls for justice over the Thiaroye massacre reflect a longstanding demand for truth and accountability. Acknowledgment by France is a step, but reparations and full transparency are needed for true reconciliation.
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