An avenue in Bamako, the capital of Mali, formerly named the "Economic Community of West African States" (ECOWAS) Avenue, has been renamed the "Alliance of Sahel States" Avenue, according to a presidential decree made public on Wednesday.
Under the same decree, part of a program to rename public places in Bamako, several boulevards and avenues in the Malian capital previously named after French personalities have been renamed in honor of historical and political figures of Mali.
The Place of the Confederation of Sahel States now replaces the Africa-France Summit Square on the road to the airport. Streets formerly named Faidherbe, Brière de L'Isle, and Archinard, figures of French colonial administration, are now named Mamadou Lamine Dramé, Banzoumana Sissoko, and El Hadj Cheick Oumar Tall. The Ruault Avenue has been renamed after Captain Sékou Traoré.
In total, nearly 25 locations, including boulevards, avenues, streets, public squares, and public institutions, have been renamed.
These changes reflect the Malian authorities' desire to decisively break with the country's colonial past and with ECOWAS.
Mali, together with Burkina Faso and Niger, created the "Alliance of Sahel States" Confederation on July 6, 2024, after the three countries withdrew "without delay" from ECOWAS on January 28, 2024.
