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
Local sources in Aleppo: Violent clashes erupt between the SDF and factions affiliated with the transitional authority on the Deir Hafer and Tishrin Dam fronts in the eastern Aleppo countryside
Israeli media: Interceptor missiles fired in an attempt to shoot down the drone
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded amid suspected "enemy aircraft" infiltrating the Eilat area
Israeli media: "Israel" won the battle but lost the war strategically and politically
Israeli media: Ben Gurion Airport's airspace closed to air traffic following missile launch from Yemen
Israeli media: Echoes of several explosions heard in central occupied territories
United States: A federal judge temporarily blocks President Donald Trump from deploying 200 Oregon National Guard troops to Portland
Syria: Local sources for Al-Mayadeen: An IOF patrol consisting of 4 vehicles entered the village of Suissa in the southern countryside of Quneitra
Trump on Truth Social: When Hamas confirms, the Ceasefire will be IMMEDIATELY effective
Trump on Truth Social: After negotiations, 'Israel' has agreed to the initial withdrawal line, which we have shown to, and shared with, Hamas

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

China to showcase hypersonic weapons at WWII anniversary parade

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

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

Hamas fighters stand in formation ahead of a ceremony to hand over Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, Gaza Strip, Feb. 22, 2025. (AP)

Hamas reviews Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan as PIJ rejects

  • Palestine
  • 30 Sep 2025
Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

  • West Asia
  • 30 Sep 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
Tucker Carlson speaks at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, Sunday, September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (AP)

Tucker Carlson: Israeli officers gave orders on Iran inside Pentagon

  • Politics
  • 2 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
French far-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon, listens to France Unbowed party parliament member Mathilde Panot during a demonstration after a Gaza-bound aid flotilla was illegally raided by the IOF, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025 in Paris (AP)
Politics

French MPs on hunger strike after their detainment in 'Israel'

Gaza residents fear trap as Trump’s plan offers little relief
Politics

Flying promises and bombs: Gazans hopeful, yet deeply distrustful

Two years of destruction: Gaza endures war, famine, and displacement
Politics

UNRWA details Gaza's two years under war, famine, and displacement

In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center, visits a military hardware exhibition in Pyongyang, Notrh Korea Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 (AP)
Politics

DPRK's Kim unveils new advanced weapons at 'Defiance Development 2025'

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