Senegal commemorates riflemen killed by French soldiers during Thiaroye massacre

THIAROYE, SENEGAL - DECEMBER 08: The Senegalese riflemen known as the “Senegalese Tirailleurs” who fought for France during the World wars and were killed by French soldiers in a massacre were commemorated with a ceremony on Tuesday (Dec. 8) in the historic town of Thiaroye. The commemoration ceremony was held for the 16th time this year in the Thiaroye military cemetery where Senegalese Tirailleurs were killed by the French troops as they "rebelled" after fighting for France in World War II. This year's commemoration was dedicated to Iba Der Thiam- who died at age of 83 last October- an eminent historian who made researches about the fallen riflemen of the country. Prof. Thiam is known as the first name who came up with the idea of ​​a special day for Senegalese shooters. As education minister, he also initiated the process of changing the colonialist names of public buildings and establishments. Thiaroye is most known for, and its name has become emblematic of, a single incident in 1944: the Thiaroye Massacre by French forces. The West African country Senegal witnessed the “Thiaroye massacre", in which French soldiers killed Senegalese riflemen, who had fought in WW II on behalf of France. They were killed for demanding allowances and pensions. Historians record that instead of being compensated, they were rounded up in front of self-propelled guns and murdered on Dec. 1, 1944. Although former French President François Hollande claimed in 2014 that 70 riflemen were killed, the numbers remain disputed. (Footage by Fatma Esma Arslan/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)