French President Emmanuel Macron has formally recognised the killing of West African soldiers by French troops in 1944 as a massacre, marking a significant step in addressing France’s colonial past. Macron addressed Senegalese authorities in a letter, describing the Thiaroye incident, where between 35 and 400 West African soldiers—members of the Tirailleurs Sénégalais corps—were killed near Dakar, as a “tragic confrontation.” He emphasised the need to uncover the full truth.
Macron’s statement comes ahead of the 80th anniversary of the massacre, a dark episode that has long strained Franco-Senegalese relations. These soldiers, veterans of the Battle of France in 1940, were protesting for unpaid wages when French forces opened fire. Some survivors were later prosecuted in 1945.
Opening the Door to Truth
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who announced Macron’s letter during a televised interview, called it a pivotal moment in addressing historical grievances. “We have long sought closure on this story,” Faye said, urging for a “full, frank, and collaborative” approach to establishing the facts.
Macron’s letter also referenced Senegal’s newly established Committee for the Restoration of the Facts, led by historian Mamadou Diouf, which aims to investigate the causes and details of the massacre. “This effort is critical for historical justice,” Macron wrote, signaling France’s willingness to cooperate in the investigation.
A Pattern of Colonial Reckoning
Macron’s acknowledgment of the Thiaroye massacre highlights a broader pattern of France confronting its colonial past. Yet, it invites comparison to other violent episodes, such as France’s repression of Cameroon’s independence movement. Between the 1950s and early 1960s, French forces waged a brutal campaign against the Union des Populations du Cameroun (UPC), a nationalist group advocating for independence. Systematic attacks killed hundreds of thousands of Cameroonians, including village burnings, summary executions, and the assassination of key leaders like Ruben Um Nyobé in 1958.
The violence in Cameroon, referred to as a “hidden war,” has drawn less public recognition despite its scale. Survivors and historians actively push for full acknowledgement and reparations, mirroring the demands made in Senegal.
Broader Implications for France-Africa Relations
Macron’s recognition also intersects with contemporary geopolitics. Newly elected President Faye has championed greater economic independence and signaled a shift in Senegal’s relationship with foreign powers. In his interview, Faye questioned the need for French military bases in Senegal, stating, “Sovereignty does not accept the presence of military bases in a sovereign country.”
France currently maintains around 350 troops in Senegal in a supportive capacity, but growing regional sentiment against French military presence—mirrored in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—could challenge this arrangement. Faye suggested that such foreign bases were becoming incompatible with Senegal’s vision of full sovereignty.
Toward Reconciliation or Continued Tension?
While Macron’s acknowledgment of the Thiaroye massacre is a step toward historical reconciliation, it raises larger questions about France’s willingness to fully confront its colonial legacy. The cases of Senegal and Cameroon illustrate the profound scars left by colonial violence, scars that demand not just recognition but reparative actions.
As Faye leads Senegal in this transformative moment, the implications of Macron’s acknowledgment will likely resonate far beyond the 80th anniversary of Thiaroye, shaping the evolving dynamics of France-Africa relations.
