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80th Anniversary of Thiaroye Massacre Revives Calls for Justice and Historical Clarity
As Senegal marks the 80th anniversary of the Thiaroye massacre, the tragic events of December 1, 1944, are back in focus, highlighting long-standing tensions between Senegal and its former colonial power, France. Historians estimate that hundreds of West African riflemen, soldiers in the French Army during World War II, were killed by French troops after demanding unpaid wages.
Among those seeking answers is 86-year-old Biram Senghor, who regularly visits the anonymous graves in a military cemetery in Thiaroye, near Dakar, to honor his father, M’Bap Senghor, one of the soldiers killed that day. “I have been fighting to get answers for over 80 years,” Senghor said.
The victims were part of the Tirailleurs Sénégalais, a corps of colonial infantry that fought in both World Wars. The massacre followed disputes over unpaid wages, with unarmed African soldiers reportedly shot dead by French troops. Official French military reports initially minimized the death toll, citing 35 or 70 deaths, and labeled the killings as a response to a “mutiny.” However, many historians believe the number of victims was likely in the hundreds.
Macron Acknowledges the Massacre
French President Emmanuel Macron officially recognized the events of Thiaroye as a massacre in a letter to Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Macron acknowledged the “chain of events” that led to the killings, though he stopped short of specifying the number of victims.
Historians, including Martin Mourre, author of Thiaroye 1944, History and Memory of a Colonial Massacre, dispute claims of a mutiny, pointing to the absence of weapons among the riflemen and no injuries reported among French soldiers. “What happened on December 1st was the execution of unarmed soldiers,” Mourre asserted.
Despite Macron’s acknowledgment, transparency remains limited. While French President François Hollande transferred some archival materials to Senegal in 2014, key documents—such as the location of mass graves and the number of soldiers present—remain unavailable.
Senegal Takes Control of the Narrative
Under President Faye, Senegal is prioritizing the Thiaroye massacre in its national narrative. Major commemorations will take place from December 1, 2024, to April 2025, including public events and social media campaigns aimed at educating younger generations.
“The goal is to make Thiaroye part of Senegal’s national story,” said Babacar Ndiaye, a political analyst with the Wathi think tank.
The anniversary coincides with a broader decline in French influence in West Africa, as nations like Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso distance themselves from Paris. Senegal’s president has also hinted at reevaluating the presence of French troops in the country, reflecting a growing sentiment of reclaiming sovereignty.
As commemorations unfold, Senegal’s efforts to shed light on the massacre signal a renewed commitment to historical justice and a redefinition of its post-colonial identity.
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Russia Demands SWIFT Reconnection as Condition to Revive Black Sea Initiative
Russia has set forth a key demand for the restoration of the Black Sea Initiative—reconnecting its Agricultural Bank, Rosselkhozbank, to the SWIFT financial system. This request, which falls under the jurisdiction of the European Union (EU), comes amid ongoing negotiations between global powers on the war in Ukraine.
Partial Ceasefire and Black Sea Security Agreement
Following recent talks in Saudi Arabia, the United States announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to a partial ceasefire specifically covering energy facilities. While this fell short of the broader ceasefire pushed by former President Donald Trump, the parties also agreed on measures to ensure the safe navigation of commercial vessels in the Black Sea and to prevent their use for military purposes.
However, the Kremlin quickly detailed additional conditions, demanding the lifting of sanctions on food exports, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, and cargo insurance. Most notably, Russia is insisting that Rosselkhozbank and other financial institutions involved in agricultural trade be reinstated on SWIFT, a global messaging system that facilitates secure financial transactions.
EU’s Role and Sanctions History
SWIFT, headquartered in Belgium, falls under EU regulations. In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU removed several Russian banks from SWIFT in 2022, including Sberbank, Credit Bank of Moscow, and Rosselkhozbank. The exclusion was a significant blow to Russia’s financial system, as it restricted the country’s ability to conduct international transactions.
Rosselkhozbank, a state-owned institution, plays a critical role in facilitating payments for Russia’s agricultural exports, a major revenue source through the global sale of wheat, barley, and corn. While the EU has not directly sanctioned Russian agricultural exports, the banking restrictions have complicated payments for these transactions, leading to the collapse of the initial Black Sea Initiative brokered by Turkey and the United Nations.
Diplomatic Tensions and Uncertain Outcomes
The demand to reinstate Rosselkhozbank puts the EU in a difficult position. Granting this request could signal a willingness to make concessions, potentially encouraging Russia to seek further sanctions relief. However, refusing it could provoke tensions with the Trump administration, which is eager to secure a ceasefire.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently opposed easing sanctions, arguing that they must remain in place until Russia ends its military aggression. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed this stance, stating that sanctions would only be lifted after Russia takes concrete steps toward peace.
As EU sanctions require unanimous renewal every six months, any member state could disrupt the process. Hungary, which has previously expressed opposition to sanctions, could leverage this situation to push for changes when restrictions are up for review on July 31.
Future of SWIFT and Global Financial Pressures
While the EU holds the power to reinstate Rosselkhozbank’s SWIFT access, the U.S. could signal leniency by ensuring that those engaging with the bank avoid legal repercussions. Analysts suggest that Russia’s demand may be a strategic move to test both Washington and Brussels, pressuring the EU to reconsider its stance on financial restrictions.
For now, the EU remains firm in its approach. France has indicated that sanctions should remain unless Russia agrees to a full ceasefire, reparations, and security guarantees for Ukraine. However, with negotiations ongoing and international pressure mounting, the debate over SWIFT and broader sanctions relief is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
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