Senegal commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Thiaroye massacre on December 1, 2024, a tragic event in its history. The ceremony, presided over by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, brought together African leaders, government members, and guests from around the world.
President Faye, accompanied by his counterparts, laid wreaths at the Thiaroye cemetery, followed by a visit to the memorial dedicated to the Senegalese and Malagasy tirailleurs, where Professor Mamadou Koné presented an exhibition titled “Thiaroye 44: A Wounded Memory.”
The day continued at the Lieutenant Amadou Lindor Fall camp with a military and civilian ceremony, marking a turning point in the recognition of this painful episode.
In his speech, the Head of State paid tribute to the Senegalese tirailleurs who died on December 1, 1944. The President announced the erection of a memorial in Thiaroye, which will serve as a place of remembrance, as well as the creation of a documentation and research center. He also emphasized that streets and squares will bear the name of this tragic event and that the history of Thiaroye will be integrated into the Senegalese educational system.
Watch the speech: