Niger drops French place names to honour local heroes

Avenue Charles de Gaulle in Niamey is now Avenue Djibo Bakary after the city's first post-independence mayor.

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Avenue Charles de Gaulle in the capital, Niamey, is now Avenue Djibo Bakary in honour of the Nigerien politician who played a key role in the West African country’s struggle for independence.

"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 junta spokesman Maj Col Abdramane Amadou.

Niger's relationship with France and other Western allies deteriorated after President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted in a coup last year.

Like its military-led neighbours, Mali and Burkina Faso, Niger has courted Russia for military support as a jihadist insurgency threatens the region - and the three countries have clubbed together to form what they call the Alliance of Sahel States.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd7x9eprvvwo

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