For the first time, France's Macron calls 1944 killings of West African troops by French a massacre

Exactly 80 years ago, on December 1, 1944, in the Thiaroye military camp, troops of the French army massacred African soldiers who had defended France from the incursion of the German Nazis a few years earlier. The event has long been a black cloud over France's relations with its former colonies. It was not until this week that the French head of state admitted for the first time the full extent of the massacre. His cause was that African soldi…

Macron's apology key step towards reconciliation between France and Senegal as Senegal honours victims of 1944 massacre

French troops have been ousted in recent years from Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso after years of fighting Islamic extremists alongside regional troops. Earlier this week, Chad, one of the last countries in the region in which France had maintained a large military presence, ended a military cooperation agreement with Paris

Senegal mourns Thiaroye war heroes slain by French troops 80 years ago

Senegal commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Thiaroye massacre on Sunday, honouring the African riflemen killed by French colonial forces on 1 December, 1944. For the first time, French President Emmanuel Macron has officially recognised the killings as a massacre – calling it a tragedy that demands the uncovering of the full truth.

80 Years After Killings, Senegal Wants the Facts From France

The middle school students in Senegal listened quietly one afternoon this past week as their history teacher told a story most of them knew already. In 1944, French colonial forces massacred West African soldiers who had returned from France after fighting in World War II, said the teacher, Aminata Diedhiou. Their school, in the town of Thiaroye, stands near the site of the killings. Why did the French massacre them, one student asked. How were …

France has acknowledged for the first time that the French colonial army was responsible for a massacre of Senegalese soldiers in 1944. That cost the lives of dozens and possibly hundreds of people. In a letter to the Senegalese government, President Macron admits that a row over “justified” salary claims triggered events that ended in a slaughter. “It is important that the causes and facts of this tragedy are determined as far as possible.” Sen…

Thiaroye killings: France admits West African colonial 'massacre', Senegal President Faye says

Dozens - perhaps hundreds - of West African troops who fought for France in World War Two were killed.