For the first time in history, French President Emmanuel Macron has officially recognised the killings of West African soldiers by the French Army in 1944 as a massacre, following decades of silence on the issue. The statement, made in a letter to Senegalese authorities on Thursday, comes ahead of the 80th anniversary of the tragic event in Thiaroye, a fishing village on the outskirts of Dakar, Senegal. This marks a significant moment in the history of Franco-African relations, with Macron’s acknowledgment adding weight to ongoing calls for justice and recognition of past wrongs.
The incident in question took place on December 1, 1944, when between 35 and 400 soldiers, mainly from Senegal, who had fought for France in World War II, were killed by French soldiers in what has long been seen as an act of retribution. The West African soldiers were part of the Tirailleurs Sénégalais, a regiment of colonial infantry that had served in the French Army during the war.
Historians suggest that the soldiers, who had been promised wages for their service, were involved in disputes over unpaid wages, which had sparked tensions. The French Army, claiming that a mutiny had taken place, responded with brutal force, rounding up the soldiers—many of whom were unarmed—and shooting them. The massacre, however, had been largely ignored or downplayed by the French government until now.
Macron’s letter, sent to Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, acknowledged the gravity of the event, stating, “France must recognize 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.” He further called for a thorough investigation into the causes and facts surrounding the tragedy, pledging support for the work of the Committee for the Restoration of the Facts, which Senegal has set up to look into the massacre.
In his response, President Faye expressed his hope that Macron’s letter would “open the door” for the full truth of the Thiaroye massacre to finally come to light. “We have long sought closure on this story,” Faye said, adding that he believed France’s commitment to uncovering the full extent of the tragedy would now be “full, frank, and collaborative.” The statement marks a significant shift in diplomatic relations between France and Senegal, a former French colony that has long sought recognition and justice for the massacre.
Macron’s recognition of the massacre comes at a time of increasing tension between France and many of its former colonies in West Africa, as French influence continues to wane in the region. France’s longstanding military presence in the region, including around 350 troops currently stationed in Senegal, has been the subject of growing discontent. President Faye, who recently secured a significant mandate following Senegal’s legislative elections, has been vocal about the need for greater economic and political independence from former colonial powers like France.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Faye noted that the French military presence was not something that the Senegalese people would desire. “Historically, France enslaved, colonised, and stayed here,” he said. “Obviously, I think that when you reverse the roles a little, you will have a hard time conceiving that another army—China, Russia, Senegal, or any other country—could have a military base in France.”
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Macron’s gesture has been welcomed by many in Senegal as a step towards reconciliation, although it is unlikely to fully resolve the complex and painful history between the two countries. The massacre at Thiaroye, long forgotten in the official narrative of French history, has remained a sore point in the collective memory of West Africans, particularly in Senegal, where the descendants of the victims continue to seek justice.
The timing of Macron’s statement, just ahead of the 80th anniversary, also aligns with Senegal’s efforts to assert its sovereignty and reduce reliance on foreign powers. The country’s government has expressed a desire for greater control over its own resources, including a reduction in the influence of French businesses that have long dominated Senegal’s economy.
As the debate over France’s colonial past continues, Macron’s recognition of the Thiaroye massacre could signal a shift in how France addresses its history with its former colonies. However, the ongoing calls for justice from African nations suggest that further actions, beyond symbolic gestures, will be required to heal the wounds of the past and build a more equitable future in the region.
