France, for the first time, acknowledges a 'massacre' of West African troops in Senegal, involving the Tirailleurs Senegalais unit, which took place almost exactly 80 years ago during World War Two. The acknowledgment comes as Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye discusses reassessing relations with France.
The Tirailleurs Senegal ais, seen here at the end of the conflict, were sent to France ahead of an anticipated German invasion during World War Two
On returning to Senegal in 1944 many protested about their pay, historians say, which led to a brutal response. They were sent to France and many were captured by Germany during its successful invasion of the country. Liberated in 1944, the soldiers were taken back to Senegal and housed in the Thiaroye military camp, 15km from the capital, Dakar.
"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," the AP news agency quotes a letter from French President Emmanuel Macron to Faye as saying.
France Senegal World War Two Tirailleurs Senegalais Massacre Senegalese President Relations
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