Thiaroye Massacre 1944

Thiaroye Massacre 1944

: Excavations Determine the Number of Soldiers Killed A Step Toward Justice. Thiaroye is a historic town in the suburbs of Dakar, Senegal, which is now administratively divided into three communes: Thiaroye-Gare, Thiaroye-sur-Mer, and Thiaroye-Kao. It is best known for the Thiaroye Massacre on December 1, 1944, when French forces opened fire on West African soldiers—mainly Senegalese Tirailleurs—who were protesting unpaid wages and poor treatment following their repatriation from German prisoner-of-war camps in Europe. The massacre occurred in the Thiaroye military camp, about 15 kilometers from Dakar. Estimates of the death toll vary widely: French authorities reported 35 deaths, while veterans and other sources estimate 300 or more dead and hundreds injured. The soldiers who fought for France in World War II demanded back pay and demobilization bonuses, which were denied or paid late. This triggered the protest and the subsequent violent crackdown. Now, in Thiaroye, near Dakar, archaeologists from Cheikh Anta Diop University and soldiers are researching the past and, according to media reports, are excavating the cemetery and the former military camp. Their mission is to find mass graves, identify the remains, and determine the true number of African soldiers massacred by French colonial troops on December 1, 1944. The Senegalese government is doing everything possible to "restore the memory and dignity" of the victims, according to the president. The decision to conduct the excavation was made on February 19. These African soldiers, who were returning from World War II, where they fought for France, were shot during their demobilization at the Thiaroye camp. Before their departure, they demanded full payment of their outstanding wages. The event remains a powerful symbol of colonial injustice and is considered a key moment in the struggle for recognition and equal rights for African veterans who served in France.25 The Thiaroye cemetery contains unmarked graves, and the exact number of victims is unclear.