France has honored African soldiers shot on French army orders in Senegal during World War II, seeking to ease tension with former colonies. Six soldiers have been posthumously honored for having “died for France”.
This gesture comes ahead of the 80th anniversary of the events in Thiaroye in Senegal in 1944, reflecting President Macron’s desire to confront history. However, critics argue that such gestures often fall short of a full apology.
Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko criticized the decision, stating that France does not have the right to dictate the narrative of the African soldiers’ betrayal and murder. He emphasized the importance of acknowledging the true extent of the tragedy.
‘Big step’
The soldiers were killed in Thiaroye in 1944 after demanding their back pay, with the exact number of casualties still disputed. This move towards recognition marks progress, but further action is needed to uncover the full extent of the tragedy.
Aissata Seck, an advocate for African soldiers’ memory, praised the decision as a significant step, calling for further investigation to uncover the truth about the victims.
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