Emmanuel Macron receives at the Elysée nine former riflemen who are preparing to return to Senegal

by time news

The French President, Emmanuel Macron, receives at the Elysee Palace, Friday April 14 in the morning, nine former Senegalese riflemen living in France and who have decided to return to their country of origin thanks to exceptional financial aid from the French State. “Aged 85 to 90, they have chosen to return to Senegal in the coming days”indicated the French presidency. “The President of the Republic will pay tribute to their commitment to France”she added.

Also read our report: Article reserved for our subscribers “I still hear voices telling me ‘come help me'”: in Senegal, meeting with centenarian riflemen

The aid put in place, the amount of which has not been disclosed, aims to finance their return trip and their resettlement in their country of origin. The Veterans Affairs Secretariat estimates the number of tirailleurs, all Senegalese, living in France at 37. These people, who have long suffered from a lack of recognition from France, are mostly alone.

Created under the Second Empire (1852-1870) and dissolved in the early 1960s, the French corps of “Senegalese tirailleurs” brought together soldiers born in the former French colonies in Africa and enlisted in the French army. The term came to designate all soldiers from sub-Saharan Africa who fought under the French flag, regardless of their nationality or country of origin. They took part in the Second World War and the wars of decolonization, notably in Indochina and Algeria.

The World with AFP

The contribution area is reserved for subscribers.

Subscribe to access this discussion space and contribute to the discussion.

Subscribe

Contribute

You may also like

Leave a Comment