Tirailleurs highlights France's forgotten Senegalese troops - in pictures

Diogo Dieye, 103, a former Senegalese tirailleur who fought for the French during the Second World War in Lebanon and in Libreville, poses for a portrait on his bed in Thies. All photos: AFP
Diogo Dieye, 103, a former Senegalese tirailleur who fought for the French during the Second World War in Lebanon and in Libreville, poses for a portrait on his bed in Thies. All photos: AFP
Demba Sao, 86, a former Senegalese tirailleur. The tirailleurs were forced to fight in France’s wars in the 19th and 20th centuries
Demba Sao, 86, a former Senegalese tirailleur. The tirailleurs were forced to fight in France’s wars in the 19th and 20th centuries
A portrait and certificates of Diogo Dieye on the wall in his room
A portrait and certificates of Diogo Dieye on the wall in his room
Demba Sao, who fought for the French for eight years - including two years in Algeria, where he was wounded - walks up stairs in Thies
Demba Sao, who fought for the French for eight years - including two years in Algeria, where he was wounded - walks up stairs in Thies
A tribute is paid to these soldiers in the film Tirailleurs, by director Mathieu Vadepied, which was released in France on January 4
A tribute is paid to these soldiers in the film Tirailleurs, by director Mathieu Vadepied, which was released in France on January 4
Demba Sao walks down a road in Thies
Demba Sao walks down a road in Thies
The hands of Diogo Dieye, 103
The hands of Diogo Dieye, 103