THE leaders of Niger have begun to rename streets and monuments bearing French names, it was reported today.

The spokesperson for the West African nation’s military government, Major Colonel Abdramane, said: “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.”

The changes by Niger to move on from the dominance of its former French colonial ruler saw Avenue Charles de Gaulle in the capital, Niamey, renamed on Tuesday as Avenue Djibo Bakary, in honour of a top Nigerien independence leader.

Another name change in Niamey came where an engraving of French colonial officer Parfait-Louis Monteil was replaced with a plaque and portrait of Burkina Faso’s iconic revolutionary leader and pan-Africanist Thomas Sankara, who was assassinated in 1987.

Niger’s relationship with France came under sharper focus after President Mohamed Bazoum was removed from power last year by a group of young army officers.

Similar regime changes have occurred in Mali and Burkina Faso — all with the intention of redefining the relationship with France and the West.

The three nations have formed what they call the Alliance of Sahel States to carry forward the agenda and to provide mutual security support.