Those who joined the Tirailleurs Senegalais came not only from Senegal, but from all over France’s African empire, including what is now Mali, Guinea, Niger, Benin and Chad.
They were sent to France and many were captured by Germany during its successful invasion of the country. Released in 1944, the soldiers were taken back to Senegal and housed in the Tiaroye military camp, 15 km (nine miles) from the capital, Dakar.
Even before leaving France, many complained about the pay they were supposed to receive and that it was not the same as other French troops, says historian Armel Mabon. Anger over money rose once in Thiaroye, which the colonial authorities saw as a rebellion.
On December 1, the French violently stopped the protests. At the time, 35 Tyroleans were said to have been killed, but some put the death toll at as high as 400.
“France must recognize that on that day the confrontation between soldiers and riflemen demanding full legal wages triggered a chain of events that led to the massacre,” French President Emmanuel Macron’s letter to Fay was quoted as saying by the AP news agency.
Earlier, in 2014, then-President Francois Hollande called what happened a “bloody repression”.
On Sunday, Senegal marks the 80th anniversary of the executions.
In its response to Macron’s letter, the AP quoted Fay as saying that his French counterpart’s confession would “open the door” to reveal “the whole truth about this painful event in Thiaroy.”
“We have been pushing for closure of this story for a long time and we believe that this time France’s commitment will be full, sincere and joint,” he added.
He also indicated that he could apologize.
64 years after Senegal’s independence, France still has a military presence in the country, but speaking to the AFP news agency on Thursday, Fay, who was elected in March, said France should close its base there.
“Senegal is an independent country, it is a sovereign country, and sovereignty does not accept the presence of military bases in a sovereign country,” he was quoted as saying.
Additional reporting by Mamadou Fay in Dakar.
