The city of Paris, in the presence of the mayor Anne Hildalgo, inaugurated on Friday March 10, 2023 the Place des tirailleurs sénégalais, in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, in memory of all the soldiers from Africa who fought in the French army. A moment of emotion and pride.
It is in the north of Paris, Porte de Clignancourt, that this new square honors the thousands of soldiers from Africa who shed their blood for France. Yoro Diao, a former skirmisher, was part of the 1st RTS regiment of Senegalese skirmishers. On the spot, he confided to Sylvie Koffi:
” The joy I have here already reminds me of my childhood. I was 22 years old, under the shadow of that flag. I fought in the Indochina war and I didn’t want to leave because I lost a lot of French comrades. »
To the Senegalese skirmishers,
To these men, our brothers, Paris wishes to express its immense gratitude.We honor their memory by inaugurating the “Senegalese Tirailleurs square” in the 18th arrondissement. Their story is also ours, let’s never forget it! pic.twitter.com/oWzrD40iJ7
— Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) March 10, 2023
At his side, Oumar Diémé, a former rifleman, proudly displays this blue plate on which is inscribed in white letters “Place des tirailleurs sénégalais”. For him, it was time we thought of them:
” I am happy, although it came late. but it’s better than nothing. We are very happy, it should have been done a long time ago. Today we are recognized. We thank them very much. »
After the photo shoots, a plaque was given to them. In a few days, some of them will return permanently to their country of origin.
► To read also: The role and history of African skirmishers
► Also discover our webdoc: Memory on the move – In the footsteps of the Senegalese riflemen of 1939-1945