SENEGAL has marked the 80th anniversary of the tragic Thiaroye massacre, an event that continues to stir deep emotions and unresolved questions. On December 1, 1944, hundreds of West African riflemen, including Biram Senghor’s father, M’Bap Senghor, were killed by the French army after demanding unpaid wages. While the exact death toll remains unknown, estimates suggest that the killings may have involved up to 400 victims.
The anniversary commemoration in Senegal has reignited tensions between the West African nation and its former colonial power, France, with calls for accountability still echoing decades after the event.
Unanswered questions and historical disputes
Biram Senghor, now 86, regularly visits the military cemetery in Thiaroye, where the victims of the massacre are buried in unmarked graves. ‘I have been fighting for over 80 years to get answers,’ he says. Despite this long wait, the exact circumstances surrounding the massacre remain shrouded in mystery.
Historically, French authorities downplayed the massacre, with early military reports suggesting only 35 to 70 deaths. However, historians now believe the death toll was far higher. Many consider the events of December 1, 1944, to be the execution of unarmed soldiers, rather than a ‘confrontation,’ as some French reports suggested.
Macron acknowledges massacre but sparks debate
In a move marking a shift in French policy, President Emmanuel Macron formally acknowledged the Thiaroye massacre for the first time, recognising it as a ‘massacre’ in a letter to Senegalese President Diomaye Faye. Macron described the massacre as the tragic result of an incident where African soldiers demanding wages were killed by French troops. However, many historians dispute the claim of a confrontation, with some arguing it was an execution of unarmed men.
While Macron’s letter is seen as a long-overdue admission, critics point out the lack of clarity on the number of victims and the continuing absence of critical documents. The archives concerning the massacre, handed over by France in 2014, still lack key details, including the site of mass graves.
Senegal’s push for accountability and remembrance
In response to the anniversary, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has vowed to take control of the historical narrative surrounding the massacre. The government is organising nationwide commemorations, including the construction of a memorial, a research centre, and the introduction of lessons about Thiaroye into the school curriculum. Faye also announced that December 1 would be recognised as the ‘National Day of the Tirailleur.’
‘Today, we discharge a moral debt towards the riflemen and their families,’ President Faye stated, emphasising the importance of truth and remembrance.
Shifting power dynamics and French influence
The 80th anniversary falls at a time when France’s influence in West Africa is waning. In recent years, France has faced growing resistance in former colonies, with military bases being shut down in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Senegal, one of the last countries to host French troops, is also seeing a shift in its relationship with its former coloniser.
Faye, in his speech, alluded to the irony of France hosting foreign military bases while maintaining its own in Senegal. While France still has around 350 troops stationed in Senegal, Faye’s comments suggest a growing desire among Senegalese leaders to redefine their relationship with France.
A turning point for Franco-Senegalese relations
The commemorations in Thiaroye highlight the complex and evolving relationship between Senegal and France. While Macron’s recent acknowledgment of the massacre is seen as progress, it is clear that the scars of history are far from healed. The Thiaroye massacre remains a painful chapter, and for many in Senegal, the fight for justice is far from over.
As the country continues its commemorations, it is clear that the events of December 1, 1944, will continue to shape the relationship between Senegal and France, with the demands for accountability and historical transparency echoing through the decades.
