Macron acknowledges 1944 massacre of West African troops by French forces

The designation comes up of the 80th day of the killings and astatine a clip erstwhile France’s power successful its erstwhile colonies successful West Africa is waning, reported by AP.

The victims were portion of the Tirailleurs Sénégalais, a portion of assemblage infantry successful the French Army. These soldiers, who had fought successful the Battle of France successful 1940, were killed connected 1 December 1944 aft what French authorities astatine the clip described arsenic a mutiny. Estimates of the decease toll scope from 35 to 400. Historians suggest the killings followed a quality implicit delayed wages, with French troops rounding up and executing the mostly unarmed West African soldiers.

In his letter, Macron wrote, “France indispensable recognise that connected that day, the confrontation betwixt soldiers and riflemen demanding their afloat morganatic wages triggered a bid of events that resulted successful a massacre.” He emphasised the request to uncover the afloat information down the tragedy, stating, “It is besides important to establish, arsenic acold arsenic possible, the causes and facts that led to this tragedy.”

Macron besides commended the Senegalese government’s inaugural to acceptable up a Committee for the Restoration of the Facts, led by renowned historiographer Professor Mamadou Diouf.

Senegal’s President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who received Macron’s letter, called the motion a important step. “We person agelong sought closure connected this story,” Faye told reporters connected Thursday. “We judge that, this time, France’s committedness volition beryllium full, frank, and collaborative.”

The acknowledgment coincides with broader governmental shifts successful Senegal. Following a decisive triumph successful caller legislative elections, Faye’s ruling enactment has pledged reforms to trim economical reliance connected overseas companies, including French ones, which support important investments successful Senegal.

Commenting connected the beingness of French troops successful the country, Faye noted, “Historically, France enslaved, colonised, and stayed here. Obviously, I deliberation erstwhile you reverse the roles, it would beryllium hard to ideate different army—be it Chinese, Russian, Senegalese, oregon immoderate other—having a subject basal successful France.”

Currently, astir 350 French troops stay successful Senegal, chiefly successful a supportive capacity.

(with inputs from AP)