Last October 15th Niger has taken an important symbolic step towards break with its French colonial historyrenaming streets and monuments in the capital Niamey. The military regime currently in power has in fact decided to replace names of French origin with those of heroic figures of Niger’s struggle for independence and pan-Africanism.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to emphasize national sovereignty and reduce the influence of Francea former colonial power, with which relations have worsened since the coup d’état of 26 July 2023.
Among the most significant changes is the renaming of the Avenue Charles de Gaulle, dedicated to the former French leader, now named after Djibo BakaryNigerian politician and supporter of the country’s independence in 1960.
Another example is the monument to the fallen of the two world wars, which was renamed “Bubandey Batama” in the Djerma language, paying homage not only to the victims of world conflicts, but also to those who they have suffered from colonization to the present day.
The goal is to redefine one’s identity and assert independence
These changes are not limited to the streets. The portrait of the French commander and explorer Parfait-Louis Monteil, present for decades on a stone monument, has been replaced with a plaque depicting Thomas Sankaraformer president of Burkina Faso and iconic figure of pan-Africanism. Sankara is remembered for his fight for the emancipation of African peoplesa theme dear to the Nigerien regime, which wanted to pay homage to its legacy.
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The break with France is also reflected in the name change of Place de la Francophonie, now renamed “Place de l’Alliance des États du Sahel” (AES), referring to the alliance between Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, three countries led by military regimes that have turned their backs on France. This confederation, created in 2023, is seen as a sign of solidarity between African nations pursuing a policy of greater autonomy and independence from former colonial powers.
The military regime in Niger is therefore adopting targeted measures to erase the traces of colonial domination and honor national and pan-African heroes. This marks an important chapter in the history of Niger, which is trying to redefine its identity and assert its independence internationally although, unfortunately, there are still no signs of democracy in the country.
