Gambiaj.com – (Paris-Dakar) – In a historic gesture of acknowledgment, French President Emmanuel Macron has officially recognized the 1944 Thiaroye massacre, describing it as a “chain of events leading to a massacre” in a letter addressed to Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. This acknowledgment comes 80 years after the tragedy, which saw African riflemen, who had fought in French uniform during World War II, killed while demanding fair compensation.

President Faye revealed the milestone during an exclusive interview with France 2 on November 28, 2024. “I received a letter today from President Macron in which he recognizes that it was indeed a massacre,” Faye shared.

The letter, cited by RFI, underscores France’s responsibility in the violent suppression, marking a turning point after decades of silence and downplaying of the events.

A Day of Tragedy

The Thiaroye massacre, as chronicled in an investigation by Le Monde, occurred on December 1, 1944. At dawn, a formidable French military force, including a thousand soldiers, armored vehicles, and tanks, surrounded the camp where the riflemen were sleeping. The operation culminated in a deadly shooting that ended the demands of the African soldiers for overdue compensation.

The official death toll was recorded as 35 by the military at the time, but historians like Armelle Mabon estimate that between 300 and 400 lives were lost. A military report from 1944, cited by Le Monde, noted that 508 rounds were fired into a dense crowd, strongly suggesting widespread carnage.

“A Historic Opportunity”

For President Faye, Macron’s acknowledgment represents a watershed moment. “This step of recognizing that it is a massacre must open the door to perfect collaboration for the manifestation of the whole truth about this painful event in Thiaroye,” he declared. However, Faye stressed that the journey toward full accountability requires further steps, noting, “Something has been hidden,” and urging France to commit fully to uncovering the facts.

The recognition builds on earlier statements by former French President François Hollande, who also recently described the tragedy as a “machine-gun repression” rather than a demonstration gone wrong.

Macron’s admission comes as archival materials from the Thiaroye massacre remain incomplete or inaccessible. Still, it marks significant progress in addressing colonial injustices, potentially opening avenues for further investigation and reconciliation.

Calls for French Military Withdrawal

President Faye’s revelations about the massacre coincided with his reflections on the presence of French military forces in Senegal. Currently, 350 French soldiers are stationed across bases in Dakar and nearby areas. During his France 2 interview, Faye questioned the appropriateness of foreign troops on Senegalese soil, likening the situation to an unthinkable scenario where Senegalese forces would occupy French territory.

While reaffirming his campaign promise to reduce French military presence, Faye remained measured in his approach. “There is not yet a strict deadline in relation to that, and if it must be done, this will be told to the French authorities according to the established timetables,” he stated.

A New Chapter in Franco-Senegalese Relations

The official recognition of the Thiaroye massacre signals a shift in France’s approach to its colonial past and sets a precedent for deeper collaboration and dialogue with Senegal. As both nations reckon with the lingering shadows of history, this moment of acknowledgment could be the beginning of a new chapter in their shared narrative.