Official Report Finds WWII Massacre of African Soldiers by French Forces Was ‘Premeditated’

WWII Massacre of African Soldiers in Senegal Was ‘Premeditated,’ Report Finds.

A 1944 massacre of African soldiers by French forces at the Thiaroye camp near Dakar, Senegal, was “premeditated” and deliberately **covered up,” according to a new official report obtained exclusively by AFP. The report also suggests that previous death toll estimates were drastically underestimated.

Death Toll Higher Than Previously Reported

While French colonial authorities at the time reported at least 35 deaths, a committee of researchers now estimates that 300–400 soldiers were killed. The 301-page report, submitted to Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, urges France to formally apologize to the families and communities affected.

Background of the Massacre

In November 1944, about 1,300 African soldiers from various West African countries were stationed at Thiaroye after being captured by Germany while fighting for France. The troops became increasingly discontented over unpaid wages and unequal treatment compared to white soldiers.

On December 1, 1944, French forces opened fire on the protesting soldiers. The report, led by historian Mamadou Diouf, states that the massacre was meticulously planned to assert colonial authority and suppress challenges to the established order.

Deliberate Cover-Up

The report reveals that French authorities manipulated official records to hide the true scale of the massacre, including altering troop departure and arrival logs and underreporting the number of soldiers present. Researchers describe the operation as coordinated, intentional, and premeditated, with efforts made to erase evidence of the killings.

France’s Response

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, speaking during a trip to Lagos, stated that France is ready to cooperate with Senegal to uncover the full truth. He emphasized that France is committed to confronting its history and participating in remembrance efforts alongside Senegal and other African nations.