History
The isolation of Bilma made it the destination for disgraced officials under the authoritarian regime of Seyni Kountché, and a prison was built there by the government. Political leaders were held there in the 1980s, such as Sanoussi Tambari Djakou, today president of the PNA-AL, a Nigerien political party. During French Colonial rule, Bilma was the site of a major—if isolated—military post at Fort Dromard.
In 1989, UTA Flight 772 crashed into the desert near the town after a bomb exploded on board.
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“The principle office of history I take to be this: to prevent virtuous actions from being forgotten, and that evil words and deeds should fear an infamous reputation with posterity.”
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