DAKAR, Senegal — On Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron publicly acknowledged the tragic killing of West African soldiers by the French Army in 1944, referring to it as a massacre in a letter sent to Senegalese officials. This significant recognition comes just ahead of the 80th anniversary of the incident, which took place in Thiaroye, a fishing village near Dakar. Macron’s acknowledgment arrives at a time when France’s influence in West Africa appears to be diminishing, with the country experiencing a decline in its historical dominance over its former colonies in the region.

The massacre involved the deaths of between 35 and 400 soldiers from West Africa who had served in the French Army during the Battle of France in 1940. On December 1, 1944, following what the French had deemed a mutiny related to unpaid salaries, French soldiers executed these troops. The victims were mainly part of the Tirailleurs Sénégalais, a colonial infantry unit within the French Army. Historical accounts suggest that disputes over wages had arisen in the days before the fatal incident, culminating in French forces rounding up the predominantly unarmed soldiers and killing them.

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye confirmed that he received the letter from Macron, which was also reported by other media outlets. In a statement to the press, Faye stated that Macron’s pronouncement should serve as a catalyst for revealing the “whole truth about this painful event of Thiaroye.” He expressed his hope that France’s engagement in this matter would be constructive and sincere.

Macron’s letter emphasized the need to recognize that the violent confrontation was sparked by soldiers demanding the wages they were owed, which led to a tragic series of events resulting in the massacre. He further noted the importance of clarifying the underlying causes and facts surrounding this tragedy and indicated his request for updates from the newly formed Committee for the Restoration of Facts, which will be overseen by the eminent Professor Mamadou Diouf.

This letter follows recent legislative elections in Senegal, where the ruling party PASTEF attained a majority, which empowered President Faye to implement the sweeping reforms he campaigned for, including reducing reliance on foreign corporations, particularly French ones that significantly invest in Senegal. Despite the historical ties, France still maintains a presence of around 350 troops in Senegal, primarily in a supportive role. When questioned about the continued presence of French military forces, Faye hinted that the Senegalese grassroots sentiment may not support it, likening the situation to the hypothetical presence of foreign military bases in France.

“Historically, France enslaved, colonized, and sustained its presence here,” Faye remarked. “Naturally, one might find it hard to imagine another nation, whether China, Russia, Senegal, or anyone else, stationing a military base in France.”