Senegal Commemorates 80th Anniversary of French Colonial Massacre and Demands Accountability

AP Biram Senghor, aged 86, frequently visits a military cemetery in Thiaroye, a fishing village near Dakar, Senegal. He bows before different graves each time, seeking his father MBap Senghor's resting place. His father was among the West African riflemen who fought for France in World War II and were likely killed on December 1, 1944, by the French army after demanding unpaid wages. The graves are anonymous, leaving the exact number of victims unknown.

The massacre's true scale remains unclear as Senegal marks its 80th anniversary, potentially reigniting tensions with France. "I have been fighting to get answers for over 80 years," says Biram Senghor. "French President Emmanuel Macron cannot do what the other French presidents before him did; France has to repent." The West Africans were part of the "Tirailleurs Sénégalais," a colonial infantry unit in the French Army that served in both World Wars.

Historical Context and Disputes

Historians note disputes over unpaid wages preceded the massacre. On December 1, French troops allegedly turned on unarmed African soldiers, killing them. For decades, French authorities downplayed the Thiaroye events. Initial military reports claimed 35 West African soldiers died due to a "mutiny," while others mentioned 70 deaths. However, many historians now believe hundreds were killed, possibly around 400, based on estimates of riflemen present at the camp that day.

On Thursday, Macron officially recognised Thiaroye as a massacre in a letter to Senegal's President Diomaye Faye. "France must recognise that on that day, the confrontation between soldiers and riflemen who demanded their full legitimate wages be paid, triggered a chain of events that resulted in a massacre," read Macron's letter. However, some historians dispute any confrontation occurred between French soldiers and West African riflemen.

Controversies and Archival Access

"What happened on December 1st was the execution of unarmed soldiers," says Martin Mourre, author of "Thiaroye 1944: History and Memory of a Colonial Massacre." He cites no weapons mentioned during the trial of accused African riflemen and no injuries among French soldiers as evidence against confrontation claims. Macron's letter omitted the number of soldiers killed.

Lack of transparency from French authorities regarding military reports and testimonies contributes to ongoing controversies. In 2014, then-French President Francois Hollande handed over European archives on Thiaroye to Senegal's then-president Macky Sall. Yet key documents remain missing, including those indicating mass grave sites and soldier numbers present during the massacre.

Senegal's Commemoration Efforts

Mamadou Diouf, leading this year's commemoration committee for Thiaroye, notes Sall showed little interest in avoiding diplomatic tensions with France. Senegal's current President Bassirou Diomaye Faye aims to redefine relations with France and regain control over Thiaroye's historical narrative. His administration has organised major commemorations from December 1 to April 2025 nationwide.

"The authorities' goal behind the major commemorations is to make Thiaroye part of Senegal's national story," says Babacar Ndiaye from Wathi think tank. "It will be talked about a lot on television, in the press and most importantly on social media," he adds. This aims to reach younger audiences unfamiliar with Thiaroye events.

Regional Dynamics and Future Plans

The massacre's anniversary coincides with declining French influence in West Africa. French troops have been ousted from Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso after years of fighting Islamic extremists alongside regional forces. Recently, Chad ended its military cooperation agreement with Paris. France still maintains around 350 troops in Senegal for support roles.

At Sunday's ceremony at Thiaroye cemetery, Faye announced plans for a memorial honouring riflemen and a research centre for massacre archives. Streets will be named after the event, history lessons added to schools, and December 1 designated as "national day of the tirailleur." "What we are doing here is part of our duty of remembrance and to reveal the truth of the facts," Faye stated during his speech attended by dignitaries including France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot.

Faye emphasised not opening doors for resentment or hatred but acknowledged differing accounts between Senegal and former colonisers regarding the massacre. While France described it as a "cry of anger" repressed by bloodshed, Senegal termed it a "premeditated act."