Bassirou Diomaye Faye's statement comes ahead of Thiaroye massacre anniversary when French troops killed hundreds of African riflemen in 1944 - Anadolu Ajansı

As Senegal marks the 80th anniversary of the massacre, calls for accountability from France grow louder amid unresolved historical grievances.

Biram Senghor regularly goes to pay his respects at a military cemetery in Thiaroye, a fishing village near Senegal’s capital of Dakar, bowing in front of a different grave each time

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.