France has made a significant gesture of remembrance for the African soldiers who were shot dead on French army orders in Senegal during World War II. This move is part of Paris’s ongoing efforts to ease tensions with its former colonies over historical grievances.
Six African soldiers—four from Senegal, one from Côte d’Ivoire, and one from what is now Burkina Faso—have been posthumously honoured for having ‘died for France.’ An official from France’s veterans and remembrance ministry told French news agency AFP that this decision comes ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Thiaroye massacre in Senegal in 1944. It also aligns with President Emmanuel Macron’s commitment to confronting historical truths.
‘It is now time to look at this history, our history, as it was,’ the official stated, reflecting Macron’s intention to address France’s colonial past. The decision was made on June 18, just days before Macron’s first meeting in Paris with the new Senegalese President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
During his seven years in office, Macron has made strides to address painful historical issues related to France’s colonial past, including the Algerian War of Independence and the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi minority in Rwanda. However, critics argue that these gestures often fall short of a full apology.
The recognition of the six soldiers is considered an initial step, with further actions planned once the ‘exact identity of the other victims has been established,’ according to the official.
Historical context
On December 1, 1944, French army officers ordered colonial troops and French gendarmes to shoot at African soldiers at the military camp of Thiaroye, outside the Senegalese capital Dakar. These soldiers, repatriated after being held as prisoners of war in Germany, were demanding their back pay. The official report by French authorities at the time stated that at least 35 soldiers died, though some historians believe the death toll was much higher. The exact burial sites of the soldiers remain a matter of debate.
Former President Francois Hollande, ten years ago, became the first French leader to pay tribute to the massacred soldiers, ending years of denial.
Significance
African troops from then-French colonies played crucial roles in modern conflicts, including World War I, World War II, and the wars of independence for French colonies. Aissata Seck, head of an association dedicated to the memory of the African ‘tirailleurs’ who fought for France, praised the move as a ‘big step.’ She emphasised the importance of conducting further investigations at the burial sites to determine the true number of victims.
France’s decision to honour these soldiers marks a notable step towards reconciling with its colonial past and recognising the sacrifices of African troops who fought for the country. This gesture aims to foster a more comprehensive understanding and acknowledgment of shared history, paving the way for improved relations between France and its former colonies.
Source; Africabriefing
