Senegal’s President: France Recognizes Colonial ‘Massacre’

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has announced that France has, for the first time, acknowledged that its soldiers perpetrated a “massacre” in Senegal approximately 80 years ago, resulting in the deaths of dozens – potentially hundreds – of West African troops. The deceased were members of the Tirailleurs Senegalais unit, which was recruited at the onset of World War Two by France, the colonial power, to assist in its defense. Historians report that upon their return to Senegal in 1944, many protested their pay, leading to a brutal response. These killings have been a source of contention between Senegal and France, and Paris’s reported acknowledgment comes as President Faye discusses a reevaluation of the two countries’ relationship. Individuals who joined the Tirailleurs Senegalais originated not only from Senegal but also from across France’s African empire, including what are now Mali, Guinea, Niger, Benin, and Chad. They were dispatched to France, and many were captured by Germany during its successful invasion of the country. After being liberated in 1944, the soldiers were transported back to Senegal and housed at the Thiaroye military camp, located 15km (nine miles) from the capital, Dakar. According to historian Armelle Mabon, even before leaving France, many had complained about the pay they were slated to receive, noting it was not equivalent to that of other French troops. Anger over the money escalated once at Thiaroye, a situation the colonial authority perceived as a mutiny. On 1 December, the French violently suppressed the protests. While contemporary accounts stated 35 of the tirailleurs were killed, some estimates have placed the death toll as high as 400. The AP news agency quotes a letter from French President Emmanuel Macron to Faye as stating: “France must recognise that on that day, the confrontation between soldiers and riflemen who demanded their full legitimate wages be paid, triggered a chain of events that resulted in a massacre.” Previously, in 2014, then-President François Hollande had described the incident as a “bloody repression”. Senegal is scheduled to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the shootings this Sunday. In his reply to Macron’s letter, Faye is quoted by AP as saying that his French counterpart’s acknowledgment would “open the door” for the discovery of the “whole truth about this painful event of Thiaroye”. He further added: “We have long sought closure on this story and we believe that, this time, France’s commitment will be full, frank and collaborative.” He also indicated that he might request an apology. Sixty-four years after Senegal’s independence, France still maintains a military presence in the country. However, speaking to the AFP news agency on Thursday, Faye, who was elected in March, stated that France should close its base there. He was quoted as saying: “Senegal is an independent country, it is a sovereign country and sovereignty does not accept the presence of military bases in a sovereign country.” Additional reporting was provided by Mamadou Faye in Dakar. For more news from the African continent, visit BBCAfrica.com. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa, or on Instagram at bbcafrica. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external sites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.