French President Emmanuel Macron has officially acknowledged for the first time that the killing of West African soldiers by the French Army in 1944 was a massacre. He made this recognition in a letter to the Senegalese government. 

The announcement comes just before the 80th anniversary of the incident, which took place in Thiaroye, a village near Dakar, Senegal. Macron's statement highlights France's declining influence in West Africa, as it is losing its power in the region's former colonies. French soldiers killed 35–400 West African soldiers who served with the French Army during the Battle of France in 1940 on December 1, 1944, following what the French called a mutiny over unpaid salaries. The West African soldiers were part of a group called the Tirailleurs Senegalais, a colonial infantry unit in the French Army. Historians say there were disagreements over unpaid wages before the massacre. 

On December 1, French soldiers gathered the West African soldiers, who were mostly unarmed, and then shot and killed them. Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye confirmed he received a letter about the incident, which was seen by The Associated Press.  Late Thursday, Faye told reporters that Macron's move should "open the door" for the "whole truth about this painful event of Thiaroye" to eventually surface. "We have long sought closure on this story and we believe that, this time, France's commitment will be full, frank and collaborative," he added. "France must recognise that on that day, the confrontation between soldiers and riflemen who demanded their full legitimate wages be paid, triggered a chain of events that resulted in a massacre," read Macron's letter.

"It is also important to establish, as far as possible, the causes and facts that led to this tragedy," Macron added. "I have asked my services to inform me of the progress of the work of the Committee for the Restoration of the Facts, which your government has decided to set up, under the direction of Professor Mamadou Diouf, whose eminence and qualities are recognised by all." The letter was sent weeks after the ruling party, PASTEF, won a clear majority in the Senegalese legislative elections. With the victory, newly elected President Faye was given a strong mandate to implement extensive reforms that were pledged during the campaign, including greater economic autonomy from foreign businesses, particularly French ones, that have significant investments in the country.

Currently, France maintains about 350 troops in its former colony, primarily for support. When questioned about the French troops' presence, Faye hinted that the Senegalese would not approve of them. "Historically, France enslaved, colonised and stayed here," he stated. Of course, I believe that if you flip the roles a bit, it will be difficult to imagine that China, Russia, Senegal, or any other force could have a military base in France.