On December 13, a presidential decree signed by the President of the Transition, Army General Assimi Goïta, gave rise to the renaming of 11 boulevards, 15 avenues, 5 streets, a public square as well as 3 public establishments, in tribute to national heroes and personalities who have marked the history of our continent through their significant contributions.
One of the key elements of this decree is the promotion of figures from the great empires of West Africa. For example, the boulevard connecting the Koulouba roundabout to the entrance to the Kati camp was dedicated to Sundiata Kéïta, the emperor of Mandé, who reigned between 1235 and 1255. It should also be noted that this camp already bears the name of this illustrious historical figure.
The boulevard connecting the Chemin des Caves interchange to the Boulevard du peuple, which includes the National Museum, was named after Kankou Moussa, the famous emperor of Mali, known in particular for his pilgrimage to Mecca and the construction of the mosque of Timbuktu.
Many other historical figures have been honored. Among them are Soumangourou Kanté, king of Sosso, Aboubacari II, emperor of Mandé, Firhoun Ag Alinsar, Soni Ali Ber, and Fakoli Doumbia. Heroes of colonial resistance, such as Babemba Traoré and Samory Touré, also saw their legacy celebrated through the renaming of certain streets.
The presidential decree also recognized the contributions of leaders of the revolt against colonialism, notably Banzani Théra and Damaguilé Diawara. Prominent figures from Mali’s independence period, such as Seydou Badian Kouyaté, former minister, Mahamane Alassane Haïdara, deputy for Timbuktu, and former presidents Moussa Traoré and Amadou Toumani Touré, also appear on the list of honorees.
Another contemporary personality, Monseigneur Luc Sangaré, former archbishop of Bamako, had the old rue Mage renamed in his name. Professor Ogobara Doumbo, an expert in parasitology and recognized for his research on malaria, had his name given to a street leading to Point G hospital.
Writers and intellectuals have not been forgotten, with Yambo Ouologuem and Professor Gaoussou Diawara who saw their names attributed respectively to the University of Letters and the National Institute of Arts.
Captain Sékou Traoré, emblematic figure of the fight against rebels and jihadists, was also honored with an avenue between Boulevard du Peuple and Avenue du 22 October.
The presidential decree also redefined the former Africa-France Summit Square, renaming it Place de la Confédération des Études du Sahel, a symbolic gesture to strengthen the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). In addition, an avenue was renamed in honor of Nelson Mandela, running from municipal road No. 2 to the Liberté school, in the Hippodrome district.
This initiative marks an important turning point in the recognition of the legacy of great historical and contemporary figures, contributing to the preservation of collective memory and the homage paid to those who shaped our history and our present.
The editorial staff
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