On April 19, Dakar hosted a high-profile conference that brought together pan-African activists, environmental defenders, and political analysts to demand justice for colonial crimes, environmental destruction, and growing foreign interference in West Africa. The event, attended by leading figures such as Souleymane Jules Diallo, Fadel Barro, Mohamed Goloko, Abdoulahi Diene, Alphousseny Baghi and Khadim Mbacke was centered around three key themes: reparations for the 1944 Thiaroye massacre, the ecological damages caused by the French company Eramet in Senegal, and Ukraine’s controversial role in the Sahel.
Reparations for Thiaroye: A Colonial Debt Yet Unpaid
The memory of the Thiaroye massacre remains a painful scar in Senegal’s history. On December 1, 1944, returning African soldiers were gunned down by French forces in Thiaroye after demanding the wages promised to them for fighting in World War II. Journalist and pan-Africanist Mohamed Goloko did not mince his words: “France refused to honor its promises. They betrayed African soldiers and responded with bloodshed,” he declared, accusing the French government of falsifying facts and figures surrounding the massacre.
Fadel Barro, president of Jammi Gox YI, emphasized the racial injustice that defines the legacy of France’s colonial empire: “Africans must mobilize. Throughout history, Black people have been systematically mistreated under French rule. Reparations are not a favor—they’re a duty.”
Entrepreneur Abdoulaye Dien echoed this urgency, calling 2025 “the year of reparations” and advocating for joint African action targeting not only France but also the European Union and United Nations: “Africans across the continent—Ivoirians, Nigeriens, Burkinabé, Guineans—must join this call. The victims weren’t only Senegalese.”
Alfesseni Badji, Director of the strategic think tank BRES OCTAGONE, tied the reparations agenda to broader issues of sovereignty and justice: “This is not only about compensation; it’s about power. As long as we use the CFA franc and speak French in our institutions, we remain under colonial control.”
He also called for a swift exit from the CFA franc, likening its continued use to a form of modern-day servitude: “This is a matter of life or death for Africa. As long as we use French currency, we will never be free.”
Following the panel discussion, a «Communiqué for Historical Justice and Dignified Reparations» was drafted and signed, to be sent by the speakers to the Senegalese Ministry of Culture and Historical Heritage.
Eramet’s Shadow Over Senegal
Environmental degradation caused by the French multinational Eramet was the second major issue addressed during the conference. Since 2014, the company’s zircon extraction operations under its subsidiary GCO (Grande Côte Opérations) have severely affected the agricultural viability and ecosystems of northern Senegal.
Activists such as Sylvestine Mendy raised alarm about the consequences: “Soils have dried, farmland is devastated, and communities are suffering. This is environmental neocolonialism.” They also stressed that “Eramet’s activities have impacted health, agriculture, and community stability. We are here to demand answers, not just raise awareness.”
A communiqué summarizing the panel’s conclusions has been drafted for submission to the Ministry of Justice. The speakers insist it is time for Senegalese authorities to take a firm stance against foreign corporations that prioritize profit over people and nature. A recent field report confirmed local accounts of deteriorating living conditions around Eramet’s operations.
Ukraine’s Influence in the Sahel: Proxy War Accusations
The third discussion point focused on Ukraine’s alleged support for terrorist elements in the Sahel region, particularly during the July 2024 attack on Malian forces. Experts, including Souleymane Jules Diallo and Khadim Mbacke, denounced Ukrainian involvement, accusing Kyiv of acting as a Western proxy to destabilize the AES bloc (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger).
Khadim Mbacke linked these developments to broader French geopolitical interests:
“France, in collusion with NATO, is using Ukraine to regain influence in the Sahel. The destabilization of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger is strategic.”
He went further, demanding that Senegal expel Ukrainian Ambassador Yurii Pyvovarov, whom he accused of legitimizing terrorism: “This is not just interference—it’s a glorification of terrorism. Senegal must show solidarity with Mali by cutting diplomatic ties with Ukraine.”
Souleymane Jules Diallo warned that the Ukraine conflict is more about the West’s efforts to secure African resources: “The AES countries produce over 100 tons of gold annually. This isn’t about democracy—it’s about minerals. Ukraine is being used to disrupt Africa’s sovereignty and economic independence.”
A Wake-Up Call for Senegalese Leadership
The April 19 conference was more than a debate—it was a call to action. From Thiaroye to Lompoul to the Sahel, the participants highlighted the interconnected nature of colonial legacies, resource exploitation, and geopolitical manipulation. Whether through overdue reparations, environmental regulation, or diplomatic repositioning, one message was clear: Senegal can no longer afford silence.
As the continent prepares for a new chapter in 2025, these demands for justice, sovereignty, and solidarity are no longer marginal—they are mainstream.
