Twelve of the 37 Senegalese skirmishers registered in France will be able to return to their country of origin with the benefit of exceptional aid from the end of April.

Twelve Senegalese skirmishers will be able to return to their country of origin from the end of April, benefiting from exceptional state aid, announced Monday, February 27, the Secretary of State for Veterans and Memory, Patricia Miralles.

A ceremony which a journalist from franceinfo was able to attend took place under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris in the presence in particular of the Minister of National Education. Pap Ndiaye rekindled the flame in tribute to the Senegalese riflemen before then taking over the management of the Ministry of the Armed Forces.

These 12 skirmishers will be able to benefit from exceptional solidarity aid “consequent” to help them resettle in their country of origin: their travel and removals will thus be covered by the National Office for Combatants. In addition to this, their medical care will be taken care of, including in their country of origin. This will also be the case for their invalidity pension or even for their minimum old age. An announcement that had been made in January.

“Immense joy”

“For us it is an immense joy, it is a date that we have been waiting for”rejoices on franceinfo Yoro Diao, 95, former Senegalese rifleman engaged in Indochina and Algeria. “Having these privileges, for us, is a godsend.continues Yoro Diao. We’re not many to get it.” He then recalls: “We have lost a lot of veterans who died here for France.” So for him, this help is welcome, it means the end of a long wait: “Better late than never.”

“We will be very happy to return home and thank France because there are things we don’t forget. The body is leaving but the heart remains here in France.”

Yoro Diao, 95, former Senegalese rifleman

at franceinfo

A total of 37 Senegalese skirmishers are registered in France today. They will be able to return gradually over their requests.