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.

Senegal marks the 80th anniversary of the Thiaroye massacre. On that day in 1944, at least 35 Tirailleurs – members of a colonial infantry unit from Senegal who served in the French

African soldiers who fought for France during World War Two were gunned down by French troops for demanding fair treatment and payment on their return.

On Senegal marks the 80th anniversary of the Thiaroye massacre. French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday (November 28) for the first time recognized the killing of West African soldiers by the French Army in 1944 as a massacre in a letter addressed to the Senegalese authorities.

Senegal on Sunday commemorated 80 years since the killing of dozens of African troops by French forces that the former colonial master acknowledged this week had been a "massacre".French forces opened fire on December 1,

Commemoration prompts renewed calls for investigation into the killing of African soldiers by the French army in 1944.

West African riflemen who fought for France during World War II were likely killed by the French army on Dec. 1, 1944, after demanding unpaid wages.