The heated debate sparked by Senegalese Minister Cheikh Oumar Diagne’s recent statements on colonial soldiers raises a key question: how to interpret and understand the complex history of the colonial era in Africa? Indeed, the minister’s remarks, calling colonial riflemen “traitors,” sparked a heated debate, highlighting profound issues related to colonial legacy and historical memory.
It is undeniable that colonial history has left deep scars in many African countries, marked by untold violence, injustice, and suffering. Riflemen, African soldiers enlisted in colonial armies, were often ambivalent actors, caught between conflicting loyalties and complex situations. Some fought alongside colonial forces against their own compatriots during revolts and anti-colonial wars, raising questions about their role and identity.
However, it is also essential to acknowledge the difficult context in which these men operated, facing considerable economic, political and social pressures. Many joined the colonial armies out of necessity, seeking to provide for their families or to find a means of survival in a world marked by oppression and exploitation.
The history of the riflemen is therefore marked by nuances and contradictions, reflecting the complex realities of the colonial era in Africa. Rather than reducing them to the simple and reductive label of “traitors”, it is essential to consider them in their historical context and to acknowledge the diversity of their motivations and experiences.
By commemorating tragic events such as the Thiaroye massacre, Senegal and other African countries seek to pay tribute to the suffering and sacrifices of colonial soldiers, while emphasizing the importance of historical memory in building a more just and inclusive future. It is crucial that we continue to explore and interrogate this complex history, to acknowledge the pain and dignity of those who were its protagonists, and to strive to build a world where diversity and memory are celebrated and respected.