Niger adopted Thursday a new national anthem entitled “The Honor of the Fatherland,” in a move to bury the last remaining traces of France’s colonial legacy.
During the 63rd anniversary of its independence, Niger will initiate its new national hymn, thus replacing the old title along with its French melody and controversial wording, reported local news outlets.
The sources added that well-known professionals with highly acclaimed lyricists and composers were among the committee members tasked with creating the new national anthem.
Niger was a former French colony which gained its independence on August 3, 1960. It has been using the “Nigerien” national anthem–which was composed by Frenchman Robert Jacquet–since 1961.
The old anthem says: “Let us be proud and grateful for our newfound freedom!” The opponents of these lyrics argue that the word “grateful” implies submission to France, according to the Afriquinfos website.