On Sunday, Senegal marked the 80th anniversary of the Thiaroye massacre, a tragic event in which African soldiers who fought for France during World War II were killed by French forces in 1944. The soldiers were shot after they demanded fair treatment, and the wages owed to them upon their return to Senegal. The massacre, which took place in the village of Thiaroye, on the outskirts of the capital Dakar, continues to be a source of profound national trauma and ongoing calls for justice.
This year’s commemoration arrives amid growing disillusionment with France’s diminishing influence over its former African colonies, many of which have turned to Russia for security and diplomatic support. The anniversary has rekindled demands from Senegal for France to fully acknowledge its responsibility, issue an official apology, and conduct a comprehensive investigation into the events of 1944.
Speaking at the memorial event, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye paid tribute to the fallen soldiers, declaring, “They gave their youth, their blood, and their lives for the cause of freedom and world peace.” His words echoed the long-standing grief and anger of a nation seeking recognition for the sacrifices made by its soldiers.
The details of the massacre remain a subject of dispute, particularly regarding the death toll. While some accounts suggest that 35 soldiers were killed, former French President François Hollande raised the figure to at least 70 during a 2014 visit to Thiaroye. Historians, however, suggest that the actual number of casualties could be in the hundreds, given the scale of the violent suppression by colonial authorities.
The official commemoration included a visit to the Thiaroye military cemetery, where wreaths were laid in memory of those who died. A program handed out to attendees described the events as a brutal act of repression against Senegalese infantrymen who had served France but were denied the compensation and respect they had been promised. This act of remembrance served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by soldiers who were not afforded the dignity they were owed upon their return.
In a letter to President Faye ahead of the anniversary, French President Emmanuel Macron referred to the killings as a “massacre,” marking a significant acknowledgment from the French state. Faye welcomed Macron’s recognition, calling it a vital step in the process of restoring the honor and dignity of the victims and their families.
Despite this acknowledgment, many in Senegal, including Gaspard Mbaye, head of the Thiaroye Soldiers’ Memorial Association, remain dissatisfied with France’s response. “They continue to conceal the truth and try to divert attention,” Mbaye said, expressing frustration over what he perceives as a lack of genuine accountability.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, who attended the commemoration, conceded that a tragic chain of events had led to a massacre, but stopped short of offering the kind of reparations or further action that many in Senegal believe are necessary for full justice.
The Thiaroye massacre remains a defining moment in Senegal’s post-colonial history, a stark reminder of the brutal treatment faced by African soldiers who fought in European wars, only to be met with violence and betrayal upon their return. As Senegal continues to call for justice, the nation’s fight for recognition and accountability from France is far from over.