1960, The Year Of Africa

The symbolic break in Black Africa was marked by the British grant of independence to Ghana in 1957, and in 1958 Guinea opted out of association with the Fifth French Re-public. By 1960 there were least twenty-two independent states in Africa, incorporating 72% of its population and 61% of its area.

1960 is known as the year of Africa. It was in this year that 17 sub-Saharan African nations, including 14 former French colonies, gained independence from their former European colonists. This blog will focus mainly on the 14 French territories.

1960 FLAGS OF NEW MEMBERS STATES

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Originally German colony, Cameroon was divided between France and the United Kingdom in 1918.  The British controlled southern part of the country merged with the French controlled north, thanks to armed movements on January 1, 1960 acquired its independence On May 5, 1960.Ahmadou Ahidjo was elected as the country’s first president.

President Ahidjo walking with Cameroonian ladies during Cameroons independence celebration in 1960 Immage used claiming Fair Use.  http://kwekudee-tripdownmemorylane.blogspot.com

Following World War I. Togo, a former German colony, was placed under French and British mandates. The part of Togo under French administration held the status of an “associated territory” of the French Union as established in 1946. Togo officially became an autonomous republic of the French Union in 1956. In February 1958 nationalist’s movements opened the way toward independence. Togo became independent on April 27, 1960

The island of MADAGASCAR became a French overseas territory in 1946. It was proclaimed an autonomous state within the French Community in 1958. However on June 26, 1960 General de Gaulle of the French Republic granted Madagascar total sovereignty.  Philibert Tsiranana became the first president of the newly independent republic.

Philibert Tsiranana.  Image used claiming Fair Use guide.toutmada.com

Dahomey gained its independence on August 1, 1960. The opportunity for this independence arose in contrast with the signing of a referendum in September of 1958. This referendum proposed a plan to establish Dahomey as a French-African Community. Upon gaining independence, political power was transferred to the new  President Hubert Maga. Dahomey was renamed Benin in 1975.

NIGER –The republic of Niger was proclaimed on December 18, 1958. However Niger’s independence is was not official until it was declared on August 3, 1960. At this time Diori Hamana became the country’s first president.  

BURKINA FASO gained independence on August 5, 1960.   BURKINA FASO originally called the Republic of Upper Volta, was established as the French protectorate on December 11, 1958. It remained part of the French community until gaining full independence on August 5, 1960.  It was not until 1984, while under the presidency of Thomas Sankara that the Republic of Upper Volta took the name of Burkina Faso.

 One of the most prosperous West African nations, the Ivory Coast becoming an autonomous French republic with the signing of referendum in 1958. The Ivory Coast the pro-French leader  Félix Houphouët-Boigny proclaimed the country’s independence in June of 1960. Although now independent the Ivory Coast maintaining close ties between Abidjan and Paris.

Chad achieved independence on August 11, 1960. François Tombalbaye, became the first president of the country.  However in its independence, Chad deteriorated rapidly into civil war between the Muslim north and the Christian-majority south.

Originally under French control as of 1905, Ubangi-Chari became the Central African Republic on December 1, 1958.  Central African Republic became an independent nation on August 13, 1960. At that time David Dacko was appointed as the head of the country.

THE REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO became an autonomous French republic in a 1958 when ninety nine percent of the Congolese people voted to join the French Community.  In 1959 violence broke out in Brazzaville, triggering a French military intervention. Fighting continued until August 15, 1960, when Congo gained independence. Fulbert Youlou was the nations first president, serving until until 1963.

Léon M’Ba, the Prime minister of Gabon proclaimed Independence on August 17, 1960.  Prime Minister M’Ba was openly anti-independent and much preferred that Gabon become a French department. He was reluctantly moved toward independence when General de Gaulle refused the offer.

 Despite opposition from Morocco and the Arab League, Mauritania proclaimed its independence on November 28, 1960. 

Charles de Gaulle

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