In a historic statement, French President Emmanuel Macron has officially recognized the killings of West African soldiers by the French Army in 1944 as a massacre. The acknowledgment came in a letter addressed to Senegalese authorities, marking a significant shift in France’s approach to this painful chapter of its colonial history.
The announcement, made by Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye during an interview on French state television on November 28, 2024, coincides with the 80th anniversary of the massacre that occurred in Thiaroye, a village near Senegal’s capital, Dakar.
The victims were members of the Tirailleurs Sénégalais, a unit of colonial infantry that served in the French Army during World War II. Between 35 and 400 soldiers from this unit, who had fought in the Battle of France in 1940, were killed by French soldiers on December 1, 1944, after demanding payment for unpaid wages. The French Army had previously referred to the incident as a mutiny, but Macron’s letter referred to it as a massacre, acknowledging the brutal confrontation that ensued.
President Faye welcomed Macron’s statement, calling it an important step toward uncovering the full truth about the events at Thiaroye. He expressed hope that this recognition would lead to a more transparent and collaborative effort in addressing this historical injustice.
Macron’s letter also mentioned the establishment of a “Committee for the Restoration of the Facts,” which will be led by Professor Mamadou Diouf, a respected historian. The committee will investigate the causes and details surrounding the massacre, with Macron emphasizing the importance of fully understanding this tragedy.
This gesture comes at a time when Senegal is pushing for greater autonomy and independence from foreign influence. Following the ruling party’s victory in the recent legislative elections, President Faye has a clear mandate to pursue reforms, including reducing the influence of foreign companies, particularly French ones, in the country’s economy.
Regarding France’s continued military presence in Senegal, Faye hinted at the desire for a reevaluation of French forces stationed in the country, suggesting that many Senegalese would question the presence of foreign troops in their nation, drawing a comparison to the hypothetical presence of foreign military bases in France itself.
