Macron recognizes Thiaroye massacre as Senegal sways away from France
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Macron admits the French army killings of Senegalese soldiers in 1944, as France's popularity and influence continues to vanish among its former West African colonies.
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French President Emmanuel Macron and Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye leave the Elysee Palace after a lunch, in Paris, on Thursday, June 20, 2024. (AP)
French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged for the first time the massacre of West African soldiers, executed by the French Army in 1944, in a letter addressed to the Senegalese government on Thursday.
Macron's letter was delivered on the 80th anniversary of the World War II killings of Thiaroye, a small fishing village on the outskirts of Dakar, Senegal's capital, and comes as an effort to revive France's diminishing influence among its former colonies.
The Thiaroye killings occurred on December 1, 1944, when 35 to 400 Senegalese soldiers of the Tirailleurs Senegalais infantry unit of the French army were rounded up, shot, and killed by French army soldiers over unpaid wage disputes.
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye confirmed receiving the letter, seen by the Associated Press.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday evening, Faye expressed hope that Macron’s gesture would lead to the uncovering of the "whole truth about this painful event of Thiaroye."
"We have long sought closure on this story and we believe that, this time, France’s commitment will be full, frank and collaborative," he stated.
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Referring the massacre to a "chain of events," Macron acknowledged in the letter that France must recognize that the confrontation between soldiers and riflemen demanding their wages that day set off a series of events culminating in a massacre.
“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,” read Macron’s letter.
“It is also important to establish, as far as possible, the causes and facts that led to this tragedy,” he added.
Macron announced that he has requested information on the progress of the work of the Committee for the Restoration of the Facts, set up by Senegal, to unravel the causes behind the massacre.
The letter comes shortly after Senegal’s legislative elections, where the ruling PASTEF party secured a decisive majority. The victory provided newly elected President Bassirou Diomaye Faye with a strong mandate to implement the ambitious reforms he promised during his campaign, including reducing the country’s economic reliance on foreign companies, particularly French ones, which have significant investments in Senegal.
France currently maintains around 350 troops in Senegal. When questioned about the presence of French forces, Faye suggested it would not align with the desires of the Senegalese people.
"Historically, France enslaved, colonized 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."
Read more: Senegal follows Chad, seeks to end French military presence
