Cheikh Oumar Diagne, Senegal’s minister in charge of administration within the presidency, has come under fire for remarks labeling colonial riflemen as “traitors.” In a December 21 interview on Fafa TV, Diagne stated that these soldiers fought against their African “brothers” during revolts and anti-colonial wars, a comment that has sparked widespread backlash.
Social media and traditional outlets have been abuzz with criticism, with some calling for the minister’s resignation. Defenders of the riflemen, including historian Mamadou Fall, have countered Diagne’s claims, emphasizing the riflemen’s courage and suffering. Fall described them as heroes who endured great hardship rather than traitors to their communities.
This year, Senegal also marked the 80th anniversary of the Thiaroye massacre, a tragic event where African riflemen were killed by French forces in 1944. New President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has pledged to include this chapter of history in school curricula to honor their memory and educate future generations.
While recognition of the massacre has progressed, uncertainties remain. Official French records acknowledge 35 deaths, but historians estimate the toll could be as high as 400. The anonymous graves in the Thiaroye cemetery serve as a solemn reminder of this complex and painful past.
Diagne’s controversial remarks have reignited debates about the legacy of colonial riflemen and the need to preserve their contributions in the broader narrative of African history.
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