Niger Removes French Colonial Names From Streets And Monuments

The military government in Niger is renaming streets, avenues and other historic places that bear references to its French colonial past.

This is another recent move by the West African country to further sever ties with its former colonial master, France.

On Tuesday, an avenue in Niamey, known as the Avenue Charles de Gaulle, was renamed after Djibo Bakary – a late socialist politician and critical figure in Niger’s struggle for independence. 

Announcing the name change on behalf of the junta, Minister for Youth Major Colonel Abdramane Amadou said the names alluding to the country’s colonial history remind the people of the suffering inflicted on them by the colonial master.

“Most of our avenues, boulevards and streets bear names that are simply reminders of the suffering and bullying our people endured during the ordeal of colonisation,” he said 

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