By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Niger’s military government has renamed streets and monuments to sever ties with its colonial past, replacing Avenue Charles de Gaulle with Avenue Djibo Bakary, honoring a key independence figure. Junta spokesman Maj Col Abdramane Amadou remarked that many street names “bear reminders of the suffering… during colonisation.”
This initiative follows strained relations with France after the ousting of President Bazoum and reflects a growing partnership with Russia for military support. Other changes include renaming a war memorial to commemorate victims of colonization and transforming Place de La Francophonie into Place de l’Alliance des Etats du Sahel, which recognizes Niger’s new confederation with Burkina Faso and Mali.
These actions symbolize a broader movement towards reclaiming national identity and addressing historical grievances.
Source: BBC News
