The Truth About the Massacre by French Colonial Forces During World War II: The Full Account of the 1944 Thiaroye Massacre Revealed by Senegal and the Reparations Needed Today

White Paper Unearthing the "Truth of History"

On October 16, 2025, a 301-page official report concerning the "Thiaroye Massacre" at the end of World War II was submitted to Senegal's President Basile Diomaye Faye. The white paper re-examines the events of the shooting based on historical materials and excavations, marking a step towards clarifying the national stance.modernghana.com

"Planned Massacre" and Underestimated Victim Count

The report concludes that the shooting on December 1, 1944, was "meticulously planned and executed to maintain colonial order," and dismisses the French authorities' claim of "35 deaths" as "contradictory and clearly false." The most reliable estimate of the victim count is positioned at "300-400 people."modernghana.com

Excavation Reveals "Physical Evidence"—Bones with Bullets, Traces of Chains

The excavation, which began in May 2025 focusing on the military cemetery, uncovered multiple sets of remains in coffins, including bones with bullets lodged in the chest. In another burial, iron chains were found near the tibia, suggesting the possibility of restraint. The report organizes that the burial sites are concentrated within or southwest of the military cemetery.modernghana.com

Background of the Incident—Unpaid Wages, Demands for Equality, and Silence

In Thiaroye, about 1,300 West African soldiers who had been prisoners in the Franco-German war were gathered in November 1944. Dissatisfaction over unpaid wages and demands for equal treatment with white soldiers grew, leading to the French military opening fire on December 1. The report points out that "concealment," including manipulation of transfer records and numbers, followed.modernghana.com

The "Milestone" of 2024—France First Recognizes "Massacre"

For the first time, at the end of November 2024, the French government officially recognized the event, long described as "suppression of a rebellion," as a "massacre." Senegal views this as a historic advancement while urging the next steps in uncovering the truth and determining responsibility.France 24presidence.sn

Recommendations from the Report—Apology, Confirmation of Human Rights Violations, Path to Justice

The committee recommends that the European Court of Human Rights confirm "large-scale and clear human rights violations" and that the French government issue an "official apology" to the victims' families and related countries. Amid suspicions of missing or falsified historical documents, the full disclosure of archives and a framework for joint verification between the two countries are urgent.modernghana.com

"Politics of Memory" and Its Impact on Regional Relations

The submission of the white paper is also seen in the context of the ongoing reorganization of relations between France and West Africa. In Senegal, practical issues such as identifying the location of remains, restoring names, and requesting retrials for honor restoration cases have begun to move. In fact, in June 2025, victims' families took legal action in France.Le Monde.fr

Reactions on Social Media—Three Layers of Mourning, Anger, and Practical Demands

As the white paper reports circulated, three tones intersected on social media. The first was mourning—diaspora and veterans' associations shared photos of wreaths and memorials, saying, "We are finally getting closer to the truth." The second was anger—voices demanding swift compensation, identification of individuals, and return of remains, now that "planned massacre" has been acknowledged. The third was practical demands—complete disclosure of archives, involvement of international organizations, and verification procedures in court. Social media posts from various media outlets (RFI, FRANCE 24, etc.) also featured hashtags like #Thiaroye1944 and #Tirailleurs, with comments particularly emphasizing "first, a formal apology."France 24

"Bones Speak"—Expanding Public Interest from the Field

The "bones with bullets" brought from the excavation site quickly made the discussion concrete. With "physical evidence" that can withstand judicial procedures emerging, rather than abstract "historical narratives," the incident has been repositioned as a "current issue." On social media, threads guiding the "next steps in forensic science (re-evaluation, DNA identification, reburial)" are shared, and there is an increase in calls for participation in regional community memory preservation projects (oral histories and mapping).Arab News

Future Points of Discussion—Four "Recoveries"

1. Recovery of Truth: Confirming the number and names of victims through excavation and cross-referencing historical materials, filling in the timeline of events.

2. Recovery of Honor: Retrial and withdrawal of guilty verdicts and the "rebellion" label.

3. Recovery of Relations: Rebuilding trust between the involved countries through apologies, memorials, and reflection in educational curricula.

4. Recovery of Livelihoods: Compensation to families, establishment of pensions and memorial funds, development of a roadmap for cemetery maintenance and return of remains.

The white paper merely presents the "procedures" to end the struggle over the memory of the past. However, without this step, reconciliation for the future cannot begin. What is needed now is to unlock the archives, dig the soil, and call out the names.modernghana.com