Joola: Families demand the return of the remains and denounce their exclusion from the memorial

On the occasion of the second annual hike commemorating the anniversary of the Joola shipwreck, to be held on September 26, the families of victims and survivors, united within the National Association (ANFVR/J), reaffirmed their demand: the recovery of the remains to give meaning to the Ziguinchor memorial. They strongly denounce the ban on access to the museum, built at their request, and call on the authorities to address what they consider to be opaque and unjust management.

“A museum without the Joola relics is a meaningless museum,” declared Élie Jean Bernard Diatta, spokesperson for the National Association. For him, the salvage operation is an essential step to allow the families to finally begin the grieving process after 24 years of waiting. “Our victims have been battered by the waves for 8,624 days; it is time to set them free,” he added, emphasizing the need to place the remains in a reliquary within the Ziguinchor memorial.

The families point out that this memorial was built at their request, to honor the memory of the 2,000 missing. Yet, they say they were turned away at the entrance, forced to pray outside, even though paid visits are permitted for the public. "While we are prevented from entering, visitors pay 1,000 francs, 3,000 francs for foreigners. But where does this money go?" they ask.

They also denounce the role of the museum director, accused of acting as an administrator without legitimacy and obstructing access. "We didn't build it for her, but for our 2,000 victims," they insist, before calling on the Minister of Culture to take immediate action to put an end to what they describe as administrative abuse.

Officials from the National Association warn: “Next year, during the 3rd edition, prayers will be held inside the memorial. This memorial is meant for praying in memory of our victims, not for being confiscated.” They emphasize that it is extremely difficult to lose thousands of loved ones and be prevented from accessing a place that belongs to them.

For Boubacar Ba, honorary president of the National Association, this hike is above all an act of remembrance: “The Joola sank with 2,000 people on board. Every year, we walk to remind the whole world that the Diola people are here. We no longer want empty ceremonies. We want a dignified memorial, inhabited by the relics of our loved ones.”

This commemorative hike was not just a moment of reflection. It was a platform for demands: the families of the Joola victims, still grieving, are calling for truth, justice, and respect. Their message is clear: without remains, the memorial is an empty shell.