DAKAR, Senegal (AP) – French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday for the first time recognized the massacre of West African soldiers by French forces in 1944 as a massacre in a letter to Senegalese officials.
Macron’s move, ahead of the 80th anniversary of the World War II massacre in Thiaroye – a fishing village outside Senegal’s capital Dakar – comes as France’s influence in the region is waning, with Paris losing its former power. French colonies in West Africa.
Between 35 and 400 African soldiers who fought for the French Army in the Battle of France in 1940 were killed on December 1, 1944 by French soldiers after what the French described as riots over unpaid wages.
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The West Africans were members of a unit called Tirailleurs Senegalais, a corps of colonial infantry in the French army. According to historians, there was a dispute over unpaid salaries in the days before the massacre but on December 1, the French army rounded up West African soldiers, mostly unarmed, and shot and killed them.
The President of Senegal, Mr. Bassirou Diomaye Faye, said he received the letter, which was seen by The Associated Press.
Speaking to reporters at the end of Thursday, Faye said Macron’s decision should “open the door” so that “the whole truth about this painful incident of Thiaroye” can come out.
“We sought to close this issue and we believe that, at this time, France’s commitment will be full, transparent and united,” he added.
“France must know that on that day, the conflict between the soldiers and the gunmen who wanted to be paid all their salaries, led to events that led to the massacre of people,” read Macron’s letter.
“It is also important to establish, as much as possible, the reasons and facts that led to this tragedy,” Macron added. “I have requested my services to let me know the progress of the work of the Committee for the Restoration of Truth, which your government has decided to set up, led by Professor Mamadou Diouf, whose reputation and character are known to all.”
The letter comes a few weeks after Senegal’s parliamentary elections, in which the ruling PASTEF party won a clear majority. This victory gave the newly elected President Faye a clear task to implement the changes promised during the campaign, which include economic liberalization from foreign companies, including French, which are heavily invested in the country.
France still has around 350 troops in the former colony, mostly in support roles. Asked about the presence of French troops, Faye said that it would be something that Senegal would like.
“Historically, France was enslaved, controlled and settled here,” he said. “Obviously, I think that if you put the work back a little, you will have trouble thinking that another military, China, Russia, Senegal, or any other country can have a military base in France.”
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Associated Press reporter Babacar Dione in Dakar, Senegal, provided this report.