Former French President François Hollande’s exclusive interview with Fatshimétrie revealed harrowing details of the horror experienced at the Thiaroye military camp in Senegal on December 1, 1944. In powerful remarks, Hollande called the events a “massacre,” breaking the silence that had surrounded the tragedy.
The story of that dark day still resonates with unsettling intensity. Hundreds of African riflemen, loyal to the French flag, were coldly executed, a stark reality that raises crucial questions about our shared history. These courageous men, from Senegal, Mali, Guinea, and Ivory Coast, who had returned from Europe where they had fought bravely, were cruelly sacrificed.
The violence of Thiaroye reveals the injustice and brutality that marked this tumultuous period in history. The refusal to recognize the legitimacy of the tirailleurs’ demands, the excessive use of force by the military authorities, all this calls us to account for our individual and collective responsibilities in this tragedy that cost the lives of so many innocent men.
The truth must be told, even if it reveals the horror of our past actions. The term “massacre”, chosen by Hollande to describe the events of Thiaroye, is necessary to recognize the gravity of what happened. Words have weight, a deep meaning, and they are essential to honor the memory of those who were victims of this unjust tragedy.
The teachings of Thiaroye go beyond history; they invite us to reflect on our present and our future. Recognizing the mistakes of the past, assuming responsibilities, working for justice and reconciliation, these are essential actions to build a better world, respectful of the dignity and rights of every human being.
By referring to Thiaroye as a “massacre”, François Hollande reminds us of the importance of memory, truth and justice. These values are the pillars on which we can build a future of peace and mutual respect. Let us remember Thiaroye, so that history does not repeat itself, so that the dignity of each individual is always respected, so that justice triumphs over forgetfulness.