The French government has posthumously recognized six African tirailleurs, executed in 1944 in Thiaroye, Senegal, as 'morts pour la France', marking a significant acknowledgment in the complex history between France and its former colonies.

This recognition, announced on June 18 by the French National Office for Veterans and War Victims, includes four soldiers from Senegal, one from Ivory Coast, and one from Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso).

The Thiaroye massacre occurred on December 1, 1944, when French colonial troops opened fire on repatriated tirailleurs demanding their unpaid wages, resulting in at least 35 deaths, although historians suggest the toll may be much higher.

Approximately 1,300 tirailleurs, many of whom were former prisoners of war, revolted at the Thiaroye camp over delayed payment after returning from Germany.

Controversy surrounds the burial sites of the victims, with some in individual graves and others in mass graves, contributing to ongoing trauma and memory in Senegal and Africa.

Aïssata Seck, president of the Association for the Memory and History of Senegalese Tirailleurs, welcomed the recognition as a step towards healing and emphasized the importance of identifying the actual number of victims.

Critics argue that while the gesture is appreciated, it does not constitute a full apology and lacks depth, highlighting the need for further acknowledgment of historical injustices.

Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko expressed anger over France's unilateral acknowledgment of the number of victims, insisting that it is not France's place to define the recognition and reparations owed to these soldiers.

This recognition aligns with the 80th anniversary of France's liberation and the events at Thiaroye, reflecting President Emmanuel Macron's desire to confront historical truths.

Former French President François Hollande had previously acknowledged the tragedy, marking a shift from denial to recognition of this painful chapter in Franco-Senegalese history.

The honor was announced ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Thiaroye massacre, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to address historical tensions between France and its former colonies.