Senegal on Sunday commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Thiaroye massacre, a tragic event in which African soldiers who fought for France during World War II were killed by French colonial troops for demanding fair pay and treatment upon their return.

The ceremony, held at the Thiaroye military cemetery near Dakar, renewed Senegal’s calls for France to officially apologise and conduct a thorough investigation into the 1944 killings. Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye described the soldiers, known as tirailleurs sénégalais, as heroes who “sacrificed their youth, their blood, and their flesh for freedom and world peace.”

The massacre’s death toll remains contested, with estimates ranging from 35 to hundreds. Former French President François Hollande acknowledged at least 70 deaths during a 2014 visit to Thiaroye, but many believe the true number is far higher.

French President Emmanuel Macron, in a letter to President Faye ahead of the event, referred to the killings as a “massacre,” a gesture Senegal views as a step toward acknowledging the tragedy. France’s foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, attended the commemoration and stated, “A chain of events was set in motion that led to a massacre.”

However, Gaspard Mbaye, head of an association honoring the fallen soldiers, expressed disappointment with France’s response. “They continue to conceal the truth and try to divert attention,” he said.

The event took place amid waning French influence in Africa, as many former colonies shift alliances, often toward Russia. For Senegal, the massacre remains a painful symbol of colonial injustice, and the country continues to press for full accountability from its former coloniser.