DAKAR, Senegal: French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday for the first time recognized the killing of West African soldiers by the French Army in 1944 as a massacre in a letter addressed to the Senegalese authorities.
Macron’s move, on the eve of the 80th anniversary of the World War II killings in Thiaroye — a fishing village on the outskirts of the Senegalese capital of Dakar — comes as France’s influence is declining in the region, with Paris losing its sway in the former French colonies in West Africa.
Between 35 and 400 West African soldiers who fought for the French Army in the Battle of France in 1940 were killed on Dec. 1, 1944 by French soldiers after what the French described as a mutiny over unpaid wages.
The West Africans were members of the unit called Tirailleurs Senegalais, a corps of colonial infantry in the French Army. According to historians, there were disputes over unpaid wages in the days before the massacre but on that Dec. 1, French troops rounded up the West African soldiers, mostly unarmed, and shot and killed them.
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye said he received the letter, which was seen by The Associated Pres.
Speaking to reporters late on Thursday, Faye said Macron’s step should “open the door” so that the “whole truth about this painful event of Thiaroye” can finally come out.
“We have long sought closure on this story and we believe that, this time, France’s commitment will be full, frank and collaborative,” he added.
“France must recognize that on that day, the confrontation between soldiers and riflemen who demanded their full legitimate wages be paid, triggered a chain of events that resulted in a massacre,” read Macron’s letter.
“It is also important to establish, as far as possible, the causes and facts that led to this tragedy,” Macron added. “I have asked my services to inform me of the progress of the work of the Committee for the Restoration of the Facts, which your government has decided to set up, under the direction of Professor Mamadou Diouf, whose eminence and qualities are recognized by all.”
The letter comes weeks after the Senegalese legislative elections, in which the ruling party PASTEF secured a definite majority. The win granted newly elected President Faye a clear mandate to carry out ambitious reforms promised during the campaign, which include more economic independence from foreign companies, including French ones, which are heavily invested in the country.
France still has around 350 troops in its former colony, mainly in a supportive role. Asked about the presence of French forces, Faye alluded that it would not be something the Senegalese would want.
“Historically, France enslaved, colonized and stayed here,” he said. “Obviously, I think that when you reverse the roles a little, you will have a hard time conceiving that another army, China, Russia, Senegal, or any other country could have a military base in France.”
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For the first time, Macron calls 1944 killings of West African troops by French army a massacre
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For the first time, Macron calls 1944 killings of West African troops by French army a massacre
- Up to 400 West African soldiers who fought for the French Army in the Battle of France in 1940 were massacred on Dec. 1, 1944 by French soldiers over a dispute on unpaid wages
- Macron recognized the criminal act in a letter to Senegal's President Faye, at a time when France’s influence is declining in the region, with Paris losing its sway in the former French colonies in West Africa
Russia says made ‘proposal’ to France over jailed researcher
MOSCOW: Moscow has made an offer to Paris regarding jailed French researcher Laurent Vinatier, who is facing espionage charges that could see him sentenced to 20 years in a Russian prison, the Kremlin said on Thursday.
The surprise public overture comes as both Russia and France have expressed interest in possible talks between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Emmanuel Macron.
Vinatier, who works for a Swiss conflict mediation NGO and was jailed in June 2024, is serving a three-year sentence for failing to register as a “foreign agent” but faces fresh allegations of spying.
“There were appropriate contacts between our side and the French. Indeed, a proposal was made to the French regarding Vinatier,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, including AFP.
Peskov did not provide details.
“The ball is now in France’s court,” he added.
Vinatier’s family have rejected the accusations against him, saying he is a victim of tensions between Moscow and Paris over the war in Ukraine.
Western countries have long accused Russia of arresting their citizens on baseless charges, seeking to use them as bargaining chips to secure the release of alleged Russian spies and cyber criminals jailed in Europe and the United States.
Putin said last week he would look into Vinatier’s case after a French journalist asked him about it during an end-of-year televised press conference.
“I don’t know anything about this case. This is the first I’ve heard of it,” Putin said.
“But I promise you I’ll definitely find out what it is. And if there’s even the slightest chance of resolving this matter favorably, if Russian law allows it, we’ll make every effort,” Putin said.
- Macron-Putin -
Asked by AFP about the Kremlin statement, the French foreign ministry declined to comment.
The Kremlin said at weekend that Putin was “ready” to engage in dialogue with Macron.
This came after the French leader extended an olive branch to Moscow, opening the chances the two men would soon speak amid a flurry of diplomacy over the Ukraine war.
Macron has urged Russia to free Vinatier, saying he is being unfairly detained and that the “propaganda” against him “does not match reality.”
He is one of several Westerners to have been arrested after Putin launched an all-out offensive on Ukraine in February 2022.
Several US citizens have been imprisoned and then released in exchanges brokered by both US President Donald Trump and his predecessor Joe Biden.
In the original case, prosecutors accused Vinatier of gathering military information without registering with the Russian authorities — something he apologized for and said he was not aware he was required to do.
Speaking Russian during that trial, he said that in his work he always tried to “present Russia’s interests in international relations.”
In brief remarks as he was led by police from a court hearing in the Russian capital over the summer, he said he was “tired.”
Asked whether he felt like a “hostage” of the authorities, he replied in French: “Yes.”
Moscow has used alleged breaches of the “foreign agents” law to arrest people before then applying more serious charges — as happened to Vinatier.
The surprise public overture comes as both Russia and France have expressed interest in possible talks between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Emmanuel Macron.
Vinatier, who works for a Swiss conflict mediation NGO and was jailed in June 2024, is serving a three-year sentence for failing to register as a “foreign agent” but faces fresh allegations of spying.
“There were appropriate contacts between our side and the French. Indeed, a proposal was made to the French regarding Vinatier,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, including AFP.
Peskov did not provide details.
“The ball is now in France’s court,” he added.
Vinatier’s family have rejected the accusations against him, saying he is a victim of tensions between Moscow and Paris over the war in Ukraine.
Western countries have long accused Russia of arresting their citizens on baseless charges, seeking to use them as bargaining chips to secure the release of alleged Russian spies and cyber criminals jailed in Europe and the United States.
Putin said last week he would look into Vinatier’s case after a French journalist asked him about it during an end-of-year televised press conference.
“I don’t know anything about this case. This is the first I’ve heard of it,” Putin said.
“But I promise you I’ll definitely find out what it is. And if there’s even the slightest chance of resolving this matter favorably, if Russian law allows it, we’ll make every effort,” Putin said.
- Macron-Putin -
Asked by AFP about the Kremlin statement, the French foreign ministry declined to comment.
The Kremlin said at weekend that Putin was “ready” to engage in dialogue with Macron.
This came after the French leader extended an olive branch to Moscow, opening the chances the two men would soon speak amid a flurry of diplomacy over the Ukraine war.
Macron has urged Russia to free Vinatier, saying he is being unfairly detained and that the “propaganda” against him “does not match reality.”
He is one of several Westerners to have been arrested after Putin launched an all-out offensive on Ukraine in February 2022.
Several US citizens have been imprisoned and then released in exchanges brokered by both US President Donald Trump and his predecessor Joe Biden.
In the original case, prosecutors accused Vinatier of gathering military information without registering with the Russian authorities — something he apologized for and said he was not aware he was required to do.
Speaking Russian during that trial, he said that in his work he always tried to “present Russia’s interests in international relations.”
In brief remarks as he was led by police from a court hearing in the Russian capital over the summer, he said he was “tired.”
Asked whether he felt like a “hostage” of the authorities, he replied in French: “Yes.”
Moscow has used alleged breaches of the “foreign agents” law to arrest people before then applying more serious charges — as happened to Vinatier.
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