On December 1, 1944, French colonial forces fired on more than 1,600 soldiers in the Thiaroye military camp near Dakar, killing hundreds of them, according to historians. These soldiers demanded payment of their pay.
A drama forever in history. 80 years ago, French colonial forces committed a “massacre” against African riflemen in the Thiaroye military camp, 15 kilometers from Dakar. On December 1, 1944, around 9:30 a.m., more than 1,600 soldiers from several French colonies were victims of machine gun fire – among others – while they were disarmed according to historians.
As a reminder, these veterans who were prisoners of war of the Germans for almost four years in the Frontsalags were to receive pay before being demobilized and returning to their respective countries.
Embarked on a boat in France heading for Senegal, it was two weeks after their arrival that the riflemen demanded their salaries, some refusing to leave the Thiaroye military camp before being paid.
Divergent results
After shooting at the soldiers, the French authorities admit the death of at least 35 people, 35 others were injured and 34 convicted. Several historians put forward a much higher number of victims, up to several hundred.
Thursday, November 28, Emmanuel Macron recognized “the massacre” against the riflemen, announced Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who welcomed an “important step” towards the truth in an interview with AFP.
“France has recognized this massacre as it has never done,” he declared. Bassirou Diomaye Faye therefore considered the possibility of a future request for an apology from France. “Recognizing that we have perpetuated (perpetrated) a massacre obviously must have the effect of making amends. Without being in one-upmanship, we think that naturally, this is what should follow,” he continued.
In 2014, on the 70th anniversary of the tragic event, François Hollande recognized “the bloody repression” which led to the death of 70 Senegalese riflemen.
