On the threshold of the commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the Thiaroye massacre, a murky affair from colonial history resurfaces, sparking a crucial debate on the need to shed light on a dark and little-known episode. It was at the initiative of five French MPs that the request for the establishment of a commission of inquiry took shape, thus demanding that light be shed on the tragic events that marked the Thiaroye military camp, in the suburbs of Dakar, in 1944.
The stakes of this commission of inquiry are multiple and profound. On the one hand, it is a question of recognizing and honoring the memory of the victims of the Thiaroye massacre, demobilized African riflemen who were shot while demanding their legitimate rights. On the other hand, it is a question of lifting the veil on the gray areas that still surround this event, particularly with regard to the number of victims, the exact circumstances of the massacre and the responsibilities of the French authorities at the time.
Indeed, the official history and the testimonies diverge regarding the events that occurred in Thiaroye eight decades ago. Massacre, mutiny, repression, the terms intersect and contradict each other, leaving room for a fragmented and partial story. The commission of inquiry, if it sees the light of day, could thus make it possible to collect new testimonies, to examine the archives rigorously and to compare the different versions of history to establish the truth.
Beyond the quest for truth, this commission of inquiry also has a political and memorial dimension. Officially recognizing the Thiaroye massacre would be a strong act on the part of the French State, a recognition of the injustices of the past and a step towards reconciliation and mutual understanding. This would also help to rehabilitate the memory of the victims and pay tribute to their sacrifice for the homeland, which has been hidden and forgotten for too long.
Finally, the motion for a resolution named after Ousmane Sembène, an emblematic figure of Senegalese culture and a privileged witness to this tragedy, serves as a reminder of the importance of memory and justice in healing the wounds of the past and building a common future. By honouring the memory of the victims of Thiaroye, by shedding light on the grey areas of history, by recognising the responsibilities and mistakes of the past, the committee of inquiry could contribute to reconciliation and the construction of a shared memory, rooted in truth and dignity.