Senegalโs President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has called on France to close its military bases in the country, following a statement from French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledging Franceโs responsibility for the 1944 Thiaroye massacre.
Faye made the remarks in an interview with AFP on Thursday, stating that the continued presence of French forces in Senegal was incompatible with the countryโs sovereignty.
READ ALSO: 11 newborns die in Senegal hospital fire
โWe are an independent country, we are a sovereign country, and sovereignty does not accept the presence of military bases in a sovereign country,โ Faye said, emphasizing his commitment to asserting Senegalโs autonomy. His comments come as the nation prepares to mark the 80th anniversary of the massacre, in which Senegalese soldiers were killed by French forces.
Faye praised Macron for admitting France’s role in the โmassacreโ of Senegalese soldiers in 1944. According to historical accounts, French troops opened fire on African soldiers at the Thiaroye camp near Dakar after they protested against delayed pay. The French presidentโs acknowledgment was hailed by Faye as a significant step, but he noted that it should be followed by France making amends for the atrocity.
The president, who assumed office in March, had campaigned on a platform of reducing Senegalโs dependence on foreign powers. While asserting his countryโs sovereignty, he made it clear that his call for the closure of French military bases should not be seen as a break in diplomatic relations. “Does China have a military presence in Senegal? No. Does that mean our relations are cut? No,” Faye explained.
The Senegalese president also commented on Franceโs recent decisions to reduce its military presence in Africa, particularly in former French colonies. In contrast to countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, which have expelled French forces, Senegal has not adopted such drastic measures.
Faye also shared that he had received a letter from Macron in which the French president acknowledged that the massacre at Thiaroye was a clear act of violence against Senegalese soldiers who had fought for France during World War II. Macronโs letter recognized the incident as a massacre, a claim Faye described as โvery clearly, unambiguouslyโ stated.
The Thiaroye massacre remains a sore point in relations between Senegal and France. Historians estimate that at least 35 soldiers were killed in the incident, though some suggest the true death toll could have been higher. Faye indicated that while Macronโs apology was a positive step, he was considering pressing for further reparations and recognition from France.
โTo recognize that a massacre has been committed must obviously have the effect of making amends,โ Faye said, underlining that Senegal would continue to seek justice for the victims of the massacre.