FRANCE has officially recognised its role in the 1944 massacre of West African troops in Senegal, marking a significant step in addressing a long-standing historical grievance between the two nations. Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye confirmed the acknowledgment as both countries approach the 80th anniversary of the atrocity.
The massacre targeted soldiers from the Tirailleurs Sénégalais, a military unit of West African troops conscripted to fight for France during World War II. The incident occurred after the soldiers, many of whom were returning home after years of brutal service, protested against unequal pay and mistreatment.
Speaking this week, President Faye revealed a letter from French President Emmanuel Macron admitting that French soldiers carried out the killings, which had long been downplayed by Paris. ‘France must recognise that on that day, the confrontation… triggered a chain of events that resulted in a massacre,’ Macron stated in the letter, as quoted by the Associated Press.
From liberation to tragedy
The Tirailleurs Sénégalais comprised men not only from Senegal but from across France’s African colonies, including present-day Mali, Guinea, Chad, Niger, and Benin. Recruited at the outbreak of World War II, these troops defended French territories and many were taken as prisoners of war during Germany’s invasion.
After their liberation in 1944, the troops were returned to Senegal and stationed at the Thiaroye military camp near Dakar. However, disputes arose over their unpaid wages and perceived inequitable treatment compared to French soldiers.
Historian Armelle Mabon notes that frustrations simmered as the troops demanded the full payment they believed was rightfully theirs. Tensions escalated, and on 1 December 1944, French authorities cracked down on what they considered a mutiny. Initial reports claimed 35 soldiers were killed, but some historians suggest the death toll could have been as high as 400.
Former French President François Hollande previously referred to the killings as a ‘bloody repression’ during a 2014 visit to Senegal, but Macron’s admission marks the first formal acknowledgment of a ‘massacre.’
A catalyst for reassessment
As Senegal prepares to commemorate the massacre’s 80th anniversary on Sunday, President Faye has described Macron’s statement as an opportunity to uncover the full truth. ‘We have long sought closure on this story,’ Faye said, adding that France’s commitment must now be ‘full, frank, and collaborative.’
Faye’s remarks also hinted at a potential request for a formal apology from France. ‘Acknowledging the truth is the first step. What follows will determine the sincerity of reconciliation,’ he said.
The massacre remains a significant point of tension in Senegal’s post-independence relationship with France. Sixty-four years after gaining independence, Senegal still hosts a French military base—a presence that Faye has publicly questioned.
‘Senegal is an independent country, it is a sovereign country, and sovereignty does not accept the presence of military bases,’ he told French news agency AFP, reiterating calls for France to close its military installations.
A strained but pivotal relationship
The Thiaroye massacre is emblematic of the complexities in Franco-African relations. France’s colonial history continues to cast a long shadow over its ties with many African nations, where demands for reparations, apologies, and decolonisation remain unresolved.
The acknowledgment of the Thiaroye massacre could pave the way for greater scrutiny of France’s colonial legacy in Senegal and beyond. It comes at a time when many African nations are reassessing their post-colonial relationships with former European powers, from military partnerships to economic dependencies.
For Senegal, where memories of colonial exploitation run deep, Macron’s admission is a step forward. Yet, the road to reconciliation remains fraught, with lingering questions about reparations, accountability, and the enduring scars of imperialism.
As Senegal reflects on this dark chapter of its history, the recognition of the massacre may serve as a turning point—not just for historical justice but for a future relationship based on mutual respect and sovereignty.
