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00:00 Colonel Dieng's family organised a feast to celebrate the occasion.
00:06 The 88-year-old veteran is revelling in his return to Senegal, where he now lives with
00:11 his family in the Dakar suburbs.
00:14 Before Paris passed a new reform in January, he had to spend at least six months of the
00:18 year in France to collect his pension.
00:21 "I am happy to come back to my family and to be among my people.
00:31 My entire family is delighted that I have finally returned to Senegal to be with them."
00:39 The recent return of Senegalese soldiers to their country of origin is in large part due
00:43 to Aissata Seck, who runs an association aimed at promoting the rights and the memory of
00:49 the so-called "terrailleurs sénégalais".
00:51 "We are extremely relieved to have been able to contribute.
00:57 Seeing them hold their children and their grandchildren in their arms is the best and
01:01 most beautiful image that we have seen in Senegal."
01:06 The colonel's descendants are ecstatic at the return of a man they see as a hero.
01:11 They now want France to give special status to the children of all terrailleurs.
01:16 "We are not asking for French nationality, but at the very least we would like to be
01:22 recognized as the children of veterans, the children of Senegalese riflemen.
01:26 This recognition would give us more joy than 100 nationalities.
01:30 We are fine at home, but sometimes we travel, sometimes it's difficult for us to get a visa."
01:36 Colonel Dieng and his comrades were greeted by Senegalese President Macky Sall, who gave
01:40 them all medals on their return to the country.