France: Nation Honors Colonial Troops Massacred by French Army in WWII
France posthumously honored six African soldiers on Sunday, who were among those shot and killed by colonial troops and French gendarmes in Senegal in the 1944 Thiaroye massacre....
Facts
- France posthumously honored six African soldiers on Sunday, who were among those shot and killed by colonial troops and French gendarmes in Senegal in the 1944 Thiaroye massacre.[1]
- On December 1, 1944, French troops shot African soldiers — known as tirailleurs senegalais — who were demanding back pay after being repatriated from Germany, where they were held as prisoners of war. At least 35 soldiers died, though some historians have suggested the death toll may be higher.[2]
- The gesture, which comes ahead of the 80th anniversary of the massacre, was made as part of French President Emmanuel Macron's effort to address historical controversies and tensions with former colonies.[3]
- The move will posthumously honor six of the soldiers, four from Senegal, one from Côte d’Ivoire, and one from what is now Burkina Faso, who died for France.[2]
- The decision was made on June 18, several days before Macron met with the new Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Officials say that similar steps to posthumously honor the fallen soldiers will take place once the 'exact identity of the other victims has been established.'[4]
Sources: [1]allAfrica.com, [2]RFI, [3]France 24 and [4]Voice of America.
Narratives
- Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Voice of America. This is a huge step towards finally honoring soldiers who fought for France, but who were betrayed and lost their lives after performing military service. After many years of denial, it is significant that the truth is finally widely known and that the memories of these men are being honored.
- Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by France 24. France is the perpetrator of this massacre and it is not up to them alone to decide what the truth of the massacre was or what reparation the victims deserve. The way in which the massacre is memorialized and the victims honored should be a decision made in partnership with the African nations they came from.
