Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: Gaza's hospitals recorded six deaths due to starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours, all of them adults

Senegal's PM calls out France for co-opting murder of African troops

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 30 Jul 2024 18:59
4 Min Read

France will recognize six of the dozens of African troops it murdered in Camp Thiaroye in 1944 as soldiers who "died for France."

Listen
  • x
  • Senegal's PM calls out France for co-opting murder of African troops
    A mural in Dakar, Senegal, commemorating the massacre at Thiaroye in 1944, as photographed on June 11, 2006 (Erica Kowal/Flickr via Creative Commons)

France is attempting to co-opt the story of six African soldiers executed by French troops, by labeling them as soldiers who "died for France." 

The announcement by French authorities comes after the government in Senegal prepared to honor these soldiers in a celebration of the 80th anniversary, which it hopes will "give new meaning to this painful memory."

On December 1, 1944, French colonial troops and gendarmes were ordered by French army officers to execute several dozen African troops at the military camp of Thiaroye, near Dakar, Senegal. 

The African riflemen, known as tirailleurs senegalais, were repatriated after being held in Nazi Germany prisoner-of-war camps and were awaiting demobilization from French authorities. 

French officers ordered their execution after demanding that bonuses owed to them be paid and that they be treated as equals to French soldiers. The incident was kept hidden for decades before being unveiled to the greater public in a 1988 film, Camp de Thiaroye, by Ousmane Sembene and Thierno Faty Sow. 

Read more: Senegal's PM questions French military presence, monetary control

France will no longer control stories of African who helped save it

Six of the soldiers, four from Senegal, one from Cote d'Ivoire, and one from Burkina Faso, will now be labeled by the French authorities as having "died for France," despite the clear and blatant violation of international law. 

"We ask the French government to review its methods because times have changed," Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko posted on X, in a message he signed off as President of the Senegalese PASTEF party. 

Related News

2024 records highest number of global conflicts since WWII: The Times

Fears of World War III surge in West, Russia seen as trigger: YouGov

The Prime Minister criticized those who saw the French decision as "a great step forward," questioning the "sudden" announcement, as Senegal prepares to celebrate the 80th anniversary this year. 

"I would like to remind France that it will no longer be able to make or tell this piece of tragic history alone," Sonko wrote.

"It is not up to her to unilaterally determine the number of Africans betrayed and murdered after having helped save her, nor the type and extent of the recognition and reparations they deserve," he underlined. 

"Thiaroye 44, like everything else, will be remembered differently from now on," Sonko concluded. 

Read more: Movements in French territories establish 'Liberation Front'

France's influence weakens as nations rise up to claim their rights

African troops and others from France's colonies around the world played a crucial role in liberating the country from Nazi occupation in World War II, as per the admission of France's veterans and remembrance department. 

Paris is now attempting to absorb the pain and struggles that it caused to nations around the world during its colonial era, by recognizing some of the crimes that it committed. 

However, as pointed out by Prime Minister Sonko, this process has been largely unilateral in nature. 

French authorities are also dealing with multiple crises in areas of influence, such as West Africa, where a series of coups in the Sahel forced France out of three nations, while the latest Senegalese elections saw unfavored Bassirou Diomaye Faye take office after a long struggle with the previous French-allied authorities.

Currently, France is facing increasing pressure in territories it controls all over the world, such as protests launched by natives in New Caledonia in the South Pacific. 

Undoubtedly, the events that took place across France's sphere of influence have ushered in a new era that has seen the weakening of Paris as a neo-colonial power, as nations rise to demand and seize their rights.

Read more: Mayotte, a remnant from the French colonialism of Arab land

  • World War II
  • French colonial era
  • Dakar
  • France
  • Senegal
  • Ousmane Sonko
  • French war crimes
  • Thiaroye 44

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS