On Dec. 1, 1944, likely hundreds of West African riflemen who fought for France during World War II were killed by the French army after demanding their unpaid wages.

African soldiers who fought for France during World War Two were gunned down by French troops for demanding fair treatment and payment on their return.

Senegal marks the 80th anniversary of the Thiaroye massacre. On that day in 1944, at least 35 Tirailleurs – members of a colonial infantry unit from Senegal who served in the French

President Barrow, alongside other Heads of State, laid a wreath at Thiaroye cemetery to pay respect to fallen heroes. In his remarks, the Senegalese President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, announced that he had set up an international research committee to establish the facts related to the tragedy.

Senegal on Sunday commemorated 80 years since the killing of dozens of African troops by French forces that the former colonial master acknowledged this week had been a "massacre".

Senegal commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Thiaroye massacre on Sunday, honouring the African riflemen killed by French colonial forces on 1 December, 1944. For the first time, French President Emmanuel Macron has officially recognised the killings as a massacre – calling it a tragedy that demands the uncovering of the full truth.

Senegal on Sunday (December 1) commemorated the 80th anniversary of a massacre of African soldiers who fought for France during World War Two, and were gunned down by French troops in 1944 for demanding fair treatment and payment on their return.