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France condemns the desecration of Senegalese Tirailleurs’ graves.Outrage has erupted in France and Senegal following the desecration of dozens of grave plaques belonging to Senegalese Tirailleurs, soldiers who fought for France in World War II. The incident occurred overnight on January 29th at the Tata Sénégalais memorial site in Chasselay, near Lyon.
The Nazi massacre of Senegalese soldiers in the French army, 80 years on, is commemorated at Chasselay’s Senegalese “tata,” an “enclosure of sacred land” in the Wolof language where the bodies of 188 Senegalese riflemen found in the region are buried.
In Chasselay, which after the armistice became part of the Vichy French rump regime and so was not subject to German occupation, local French authorities turned the mass grave into a memorial, or Tata Sénégalais, which was constructed in a West African style and dedicated by a Muslim Senegalese Imam on November 8, 1942.
Faced with this situation, intellectuals offer an ambitious response: to make the Senegalese tata of Chasselay a high place of national memory in France. They underline the crucial educational role of the site, already visited each year by hundreds of students who discover this tragic page of our common history there. According to them, this educational mission represents the best response to hatred and ignorance.
Their platform ends with a solemn appeal to the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron, inviting him to come and deliver a great speech to Chasselay. This presidential visit would symbolize, according to them, the commitment of the French Republic against racism and its recognition to these heroes from Africa. Through this call, the authors seek to transform an act of hatred into an prospect to reaffirm the essential values of the Republic and to strengthen historical links between France and Africa.
France Condemns Desecration of Senegalese Tirailleurs’ Graves
Table of Contents
Outrage erupts in France and senegal following the desecration of grave plaques belonging to Senegalese Tirailleurs, soldiers who fought for France in WWII.
France and Senegal have been shaken by the desecration of dozens of grave plaques belonging to senegalese Tirailleurs, soldiers who fought for france in World War II. The incident took place overnight on January 29th at the Tata Sénégalais memorial site in Chasselay, near Lyon.
The Nazi massacre of Senegalese soldiers in the French army, commemorated 80 years later at ChasselayS Senegalese “tata,” an “enclosure of sacred land” in the Wolof language, has deeply affected both nations. The memorial buries the bodies of 188 Senegalese riflemen found in the region.
Chasselay, which became part of the Vichy French regime after the armistice and was thus not under German occupation, saw local French authorities transform the mass grave into a memorial called tata Sénégalais. Constructed in a West African style, it was dedicated by a Muslim Senegalese Imam on November 8, 1942.
Intellectuals’ Response
In the wake of this incident, intellectuals have proposed an ambitious response: making the Senegalese tata of Chasselay a high place of national memory in France. They emphasize the critical educational role the site plays, as hundreds of students visit annually to learn about this tragic chapter of shared history.
According to them, this educational mission is the best way to combat hatred and ignorance. Their platform concludes with a solemn appeal to French President Emmanuel Macron, inviting him to deliver a important speech at Chasselay. This visit would symbolize the French Republic’s commitment against racism and recognize the heroes from Africa. Through this call, the authors aim to turn this act of hatred into an opportunity to reaffirm the essential values of the Republic and strengthen historical ties between France and Africa.
Editor’s Interview
Editor’s Question 1:
Can you describe the significance of the Tata Sénégalais memorial in Chasselay, and why it holds such emotional and historical importance for both France and Senegal?
The Tata Sénégalais memorial in chasselay embodies the deep historical ties between France and Senegal, notably in the context of WWII. it is a sacred site commemorating deaths of 188 Senegalese riflemen who fought alongside the French army during the war. The memorial represents a tangible link to the past, honoring the bravery and sacrifice of these soldiers while underscoring the shared history and joint struggles of two nations.
Editor’s Question 2:
How do you think the act of desecration affects the cultural and political relationships between France and Senegal?
The desecration of the grave plaques at the Tata Sénégalais memorial is a cruel reminder of underlying tensions and can reignite feelings of discontent and anger. It underscores the need for continuous dialog and mutual respect. This act can possibly strain political bonds unless both countries unite against such hatred and affirm their commitment to their shared past and future together.
Editor’s Question 3:
What are the intellectuals proposing as a response to this incident, and what does the proposed visit from President Macron signify?
Intellectuals are advocating for the Tata Sénégalais memorial to become a prominent place of national memory. They believe that an educational focus on this site can foster understanding and unity. The proposed visit by President Macron would represent the French republic’s unwavering stance against racism and a formal acknowledgment of the Senegalese soldiers’ contributions. Such a visit would transform an act of hatred into an opportunity to reinforce the core principles of the Republic and strengthen Franco-African relations.
Conclusion
The desecration of the grave plaques at the Tata Sénégalais memorial in Chasselay underscores the need for ongoing dialogue, mutual respect, and historical acknowledgement between France and Senegal. Intellectuals propose transforming this tragic incident into an educational moment, with President Macron’s potential visit symbolizing the commitment of the French Republic to combating racism and honoring the historical ties between the two nations.
