Ouagadougou: France has expressed its intention to work for the recognition of all African soldiers who fought alongside it during the Second World War and who were massacred by the French army in the Thiaroye camp , not far from Dakar.

According to the Senegalese media which cite a French diplomatic source, France will recognize all the soldiers who fell in Thiaroye under the bullets of the French army and not only 6 soldiers whom Paris has so far been willing to recognize as being the only ones who fell for France during this massacre.

‘The door is open for recognition of all Senegalese riflemen,’ declared a French diplomatic source Monday in Paris, according to the Senegalese Press Agency (APS), this was on the sidelines of preparations for the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the landing of Provence. This August 15 will mark this historic event, and France plans to expand its tribute to African soldiers who participated in the liberation of the country during the Second World War.

On December 1,
1944, several African soldiers, having fought for the liberation of France, were killed in Thiaroye by the French colonial military administration.

These soldiers demanded payment of their captivity pay and various bonuses which had not been paid to them. The event is now described as a ‘massacre’ by France, marking a turning point in the recognition of its colonial history.

French diplomacy emphasizes that this approach is motivated by the need to ‘look history in the face, to be fair and to respond to the demands of the riflemen themselves and their descendants’. President Emmanuel Macron worked to ensure that the recognition of the Senegalese riflemen matched their commitment to the liberation of France, then under Nazi occupation.

On August 15, 1944, Operation Anvil, renamed Dragoon, saw the participation of 250,000 African volunteers. This operation played a crucial role in the liberation of Provence, in southeastern France. On the occasion of the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of this event, C
ameroonian President Paul Biya will deliver a speech on behalf of the African heads of state and government present.

‘The spirit of this celebration is a way for France not to obscure any memory, particularly African,’ declared the French diplomatic source. This recognition is an important milestone for France and its former colonies, symbolizing an effort to repair past injustices and honor those who sacrificed their lives for freedom.

The Thiaroye massacre was the subject of a film by director Ousmane Sembène, which helped to keep this tragedy alive in memory.

Source : Burkina Information Agency