https://en.sputniknews.africa/20250101/senegal-fires-minister-who-called-african-colonial-era-soldiers-traitors-1069984187.html
Senegal Fires Minister Who Called African Colonial-Era Soldiers 'Traitors'
Senegal Fires Minister Who Called African Colonial-Era Soldiers 'Traitors'
Sputnik Africa
In a December-21 interview, Cheikh Oumar Diagne, Senegal's Minister in charge of Administration and Equipment at the Presidency, controversially labeled... 01.01.2025, Sputnik Africa
2025-01-01T10:42+0100
2025-01-01T10:42+0100
2025-01-01T10:42+0100
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Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye dismissed Cheikh Oumar Diagne, Minister in charge of Administration and Equipment at the Presidency, following his controversial remarks labeling Senegalese tirailleurs (Senegalese Riflemen) as "traitors".Diagne made the comments in a recent interview with FaFa TV, sparking widespread outrage. The dismissal, announced via presidential decree, came swiftly after Diagne's comments drew condemnation from various quarters, including government officials, descendants of the tirailleurs, and the public.Government spokesman Moustapha Njekk Sarre publicly criticized the remarks, asserting that the tirailleurs should be viewed as national heroes. A collective representing descendants of the soldiers also denounced the statements as "insulting and shameful."Diagne has been replaced by Papa Thione Dieng. While the presidential decree did not explicitly state the reasons for the dismissal, the controversy surrounding Diagne's comments is widely understood to be the cause.The timing is significant, coming just weeks after Senegal commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Thiaroye massacre, where French forces killed dozens of African troops who had fought for France. This historical context adds further sensitivity to Diagne's remarks.
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Senegal Fires Minister Who Called African Colonial-Era Soldiers 'Traitors'
Muhammad Nooh Osman
Writer/Editor
In a December-21 interview, Cheikh Oumar Diagne, Senegal's Minister in charge of Administration and Equipment at the Presidency, controversially labeled Senegalese tirailleurs – soldiers who fought for France during the two world wars – as "traitors," claiming they fought "for scraps" and that their mercenary motives led to the Thiaroye massacre.
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye dismissed Cheikh Oumar Diagne, Minister in charge of Administration and Equipment at the Presidency, following his controversial remarks labeling
Senegalese tirailleurs (Senegalese Riflemen) as "traitors".
Diagne made the comments in a recent interview with FaFa TV, sparking widespread outrage. The dismissal, announced via presidential decree, came swiftly after Diagne's comments drew condemnation from various quarters, including
government officials, descendants of the tirailleurs, and the public.
Government spokesman Moustapha Njekk Sarre publicly criticized the remarks, asserting that the tirailleurs should be viewed as national heroes. A collective representing descendants of the soldiers also denounced the statements as "insulting and shameful."
Diagne has been replaced by Papa Thione Dieng. While the presidential decree did not explicitly state the reasons for the dismissal, the controversy surrounding Diagne's comments is widely understood to be the cause.
The timing is significant, coming just weeks after Senegal commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Thiaroye massacre, where
French forces killed dozens of African troops who had fought for France. This historical context adds further sensitivity to Diagne's remarks.
