Dec 2, 2024, 8:14 AM
Dec 1, 2024, 12:00 AM

Senegal demands answers as it marks 80 years since French massacre of soldiers

Tragic
Highlights
  • Senegal marked the 80th anniversary of the Thiaroye massacre, where African soldiers were killed by French forces in 1944.
  • The official French death toll is disputed, with historians estimating nearly 400 casualties compared to the military's claim of 35 to 75.
  • Senegalese leadership asserts the need for accountability and truth from France regarding this historical tragedy.
Story

Senegal observed the 80th anniversary of a tragic event where African soldiers who fought for France during World War II were killed by French soldiers in 1944. This massacre occurred in Thiaroye, a village near Dakar, when the soldiers, upon their return, demanded fair payment and treatment. The French military's official death toll suggests 35 to 75 soldiers were killed, but historians argue that nearly 400 men lost their lives during the confrontation. The anniversary ceremony was attended by France’s foreign affairs minister and other African leaders, underlining the importance of this occasion. Senegal has persistently called for France to take responsibility for the massacre.

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