The Joola Memorial Museum, inaugurated on September 26, 2024 in Ziguinchor, Senegal, is a place full of emotions and memories. This event marks an important milestone for the families of the victims of the Joola shipwreck, a maritime tragedy that occurred 22 years ago off the coast of Gambia.
The Joola, the ferry that sank in 2002 with the official loss of 1,863 lives, remains etched in memories as one of the worst maritime disasters in history, comparable only to the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. The pain of the victims’ families continues in the face of the lack of burial for most of the missing, who remained trapped in the wreck.
The memorial museum, a witness to this tragedy, stands like a boat on the seafront, reminding everyone not to forget the Joola. Its imposing architecture invites reflection and contemplation, offering a place of remembrance for the relatives of the missing. However, the opening of this museum also raises questions and requests, including the salvage of the wreck so that the remains of the victims can finally rest in peace.
Moussa Diamé, a father grieving the loss of his three children in this shipwreck, expresses the importance of this memorial museum in his grieving process. Each time he passes by this building reminds him of his children and offers him a place of prayer and contemplation. For him, it is a way to pull himself together and not forget what happened.
The inauguration ceremony of the Joola memorial museum brought together families in search of justice and truth, but also political authorities. Despite the presence of state dignitaries, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko was conspicuous by his absence, disappointing the victims’ families. This missing mark of respect underlines the importance of paying tribute to all those lives lost in this tragic event.
Ultimately, the Joola Memorial Museum in Ziguinchor embodies much more than a place of remembrance, it represents a symbol of the fight for justice and recognition of the victims. It is a place where History mixes with collective memory, reminding us of the importance of not forgetting the significant events of our past. The sinking of the Joola will remain forever engraved in hearts and minds, embodying the need to preserve memory to honor those who are no longer here.