President of Republic, AU Chairman, Takes Part in Thiaroye Massacre Commemoration
On 1 December, in Dakar, His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, the President of the Republic and Chairman of the African Union (AU), took part in the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Thiaroye massacre, which took place on 1 December 1944, when French soldiers shot dead dozens of Senegalese riflemen in the Thiaroye barracks on the outskirts of Dakar, shortly after their return from participating in the Second World War as recruits for France’s colonial forces.
The President of the Republic took part in the laying of a wreath at the monument in the cemetery where the soldiers’ remains are buried.
Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El-Ghazouani also attended the ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Thiaroye camp massacre, alongside Senegalese President Bassirou Jomaye Faye, the Presidents of Gambia, Guinea Bissau, and Gabon, the President of Togo’s National Assembly, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, and representatives from Djibouti and Chad.
The President of the Republic followed a presentation highlighting the various aspects of this tragedy before delivering, on behalf of his African counterparts, an important speech at the commemoration ceremony, highlighting the importance and symbolism of this commemoration for safeguarding the dignity of the African people and paying tribute to the struggle of African veterans for freedom and emancipation.
On the Mauritanian side, in addition to His Excellency the President of the Republic, the ceremony was attended by Messrs.:
– Nani Ould Chrougha, the Minister in Charge of the Cabinet of the President of the Republic.
– Hanana Ould Sidi, the Minister of Defense, Retirees, and Children of Martyrs.
– Ahmedou Ould Ahmedou, the Mauritanian Ambassador to Senegal.
– Admiral Isselkou Ould Cheikh El Wali, the Chief of the Special Staff of the President of the Republic.
– Harouna Traore, an Officer in Charge of Special Duties at the Presidency of the Republic.
– Sidi Mohamed Ould El Ghaber, an Officer in Charge of Special Duties at the Presidency of the Republic.
– El Hacen Ould Ahmed, the Director General of State Protocol.