Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has dismissed a government minister following controversial remarks about African soldiers who fought for France during colonial times.
Cheikh Oumar Diagne, who was in charge of administration and equipment at the presidency, described the soldiers as “traitors” in a recent interview with local FaFa TV.
“The riflemen are traitors. They fought against their brothers,” Diagne stated, referring to the Senegalese tirailleurs, a corps of African infantrymen who fought for France during both World Wars and the decolonization period.
The remarks sparked an immediate backlash from various groups and individuals across the country.
A source from the presidency confirmed Diagne’s dismissal by presidential decree on Tuesday.
The minister has been replaced by Papa Thione Dieng, according to the official announcement.
While the reasons for his removal were not disclosed, government spokesman Moustapha Njekk Sarre swiftly condemned Diagne’s comments, calling the soldiers “heroes of the nation” on RFM radio.
A collective of descendants of the Senegalese soldiers also denounced the statement, calling it “insulting and shameful.”
The criticism quickly spread across social media and the press.
