For the first time, France’s Macron calls the killing of West African soldiers in 1944 by the French a genocide.

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) – French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday for the first time recognized the killing of West African soldiers by the French Army in 1944 as a genocide in a letter to Senegalese authorities.

Macron’s move, ahead of the 80th anniversary of the World War II massacre in Thiaroye – a fishing village on the outskirts of Senegal’s capital, Dakar – comes as France’s influence in the region is waning, as Paris loses its influence. French colonies in West Africa.

Between 35 and 400 West African soldiers fighting for the French Army in the 1940 war in France were killed on December 1, 1944 by French soldiers in what the French described as a mutiny over unpaid wages.

The West Africans were members of a unit called the Tirailleurs Senegalais, a colonial infantry unit of the French Army. According to historians, there were disputes over unpaid wages in the days leading up to the massacre, but on December 1, French soldiers rounded up West African soldiers, most of whom were unarmed, and shot them dead.

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye said he received the letter seen by the Associated Press.

Speaking to reporters late Thursday, Faye said Macron’s move should “open the door” so that “the whole truth about this tragic incident of Thiaroye” can finally come out.

“We have long wanted to close this issue and we believe that, in this case, France’s commitment will be full, clear and cooperative,” he added.

“France must realize that on that day, the conflict between soldiers and gunmen who wanted to be paid their legitimate wages, caused a series of incidents that led to a massacre,” reads Macron’s letter.

“It is also important to establish, as much as possible, the causes and facts that led to this tragedy,” added Macron. The facts, which your government has decided to establish, under the guidance of Professor Mamadou Diouf, whose reputation and qualities are recognized by all.”

The letter comes a few weeks after Senegal’s legislative elections, in which the ruling PASTEF party won an absolute majority. The win gave newly elected President Faye a clear mandate to implement the cheap reforms promised during the campaign, including more economic independence from foreign companies, including French, that are heavily invested in the country.

France still has around 350 soldiers from its former colony, mostly in support roles. Asked about the presence of French troops, Faye said that it would not be something that Senegal wants.

“Historically, France enslaved, colonized and settled here,” he said. “Obviously, I think that if you reverse the roles a little bit, you would have a hard time imagining that another army, China, Russia, Senegal or any other country would have a military base in France.”

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Associated Press writer Babacar Dione in Dakar, Senegal, contributed to this report.