Niger officially removed the name “Avenue Charles de Gaulle” on Tuesday as part of a broader effort by its ruling junta to rename several historic landmarks in the capital, Niamey, that were previously associated with France, the former colonial power.
Since the military coup in July 2023, Niger’s new rulers have distanced themselves from Paris, strengthening ties with other military-led governments in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Russia.
Amid the sound of marching bands, junta officials gathered to witness the unveiling of the newly renamed locations, marking a symbolic break from the country’s colonial past.
“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,” said Major Colonel Abdramane Amadou, Minister for Youth and a junta spokesman.
“The avenue which once bore the name of General Charles de Gaulle is henceforth christened ‘Avenue Djibo Bakary’,” Amadou added.
Bakary, a prominent socialist politician who passed away in 1998, played a crucial role in Niger’s independence movement, which was achieved in 1960.
Just a short distance away, the memorial dedicated to those who died in the two world wars has been rebranded to honor “all civilian and military victims of colonization up to the present day.”
The ruling junta, often accusing France of attempting to undermine its authority, has symbolically severed ties with its former colonial ruler by renaming monuments and streets.
Since the July 2023 coup, Niger’s leadership has expelled French troops stationed in the country to combat jihadist threats and ousted the French ambassador. The Franco-Nigerien cultural center has also been renamed after renowned Nigerien filmmaker Moustapha Alassane.
Other landmarks in Niamey are also being renamed. A plaque of French explorer Parfait-Louis Monteil has been replaced with an effigy of Thomas Sankara, the revolutionary leader of Burkina Faso, who was assassinated in 1987—a killing some believe was influenced by France.
General Assoumane Abdou Harouna, Niamey’s regional governor and a key figure in the junta, emphasized the importance of honoring Niger’s ancestors through this renaming initiative. Oumarou Abdourahamane, president of the Niger branch of Urgences Panafricanistes, praised the changes, stating that it was time to stop glorifying colonizers and recognize the country’s own heroes.
Urgences Panafricanistes is led internationally by activist Kemi Seba, a controversial figure known for his strong anti-Western views. Seba, an outspoken advocate for black power, was arrested recently in Paris. He holds a Nigerien diplomatic passport as an advisor to junta leader Abdourahamane Tiani.
Additionally, Niger replaced its national anthem, “La Nigerienne” (written by French composer Maurice Albert Thiriet in 1961), with “For the Honour of the Fatherland” in June 2023.
The new anthem reflects the country’s anti-colonial struggles and commitment to national pride, marking another significant shift away from its colonial past.
