Senegal

The year 1960 is often referred to as the "Year of Africa" because of the rapid wave of decolonization that swept across the continent. Seventeen African nations gained independence from their European colonizers in 1960, marking a significant shift in the global political landscape. ..

Niger:
• Colonial History: Niger became a French colony in the late 19th century.
• Path to Independence: After the referendum organized by the French Fifth Republic in 1958, Niger chose to become an autonomous republic within the French Community.
• Independence: On August 3, 1960, Niger declared its independence from France with Hamani Diori as its first president.
• Mauritania:
• Colonial History: Mauritania became part of French West Africa in the early 20th century.
• Path to Independence: Like other French colonies, Mauritania voted for the French constitution in the 1958 referendum and became an autonomous republic within the French Community.
• Independence: Mauritania declared its independence on November 28, 1960, with Moktar Ould Daddah as its inaugural leader.
• Mali:
• Colonial History: Known as French Sudan during colonial times, Mali was a French colony.
• Path to Independence: After initially forming the Federation of Mali with Senegal in 1959, disagreements led to a split. Mali then decided to pursue independence on its own.
• Independence: Mali became independent on September 22, 1960. Modibo Keïta became its first president.
• French Congo (Republic of the Congo):
• Colonial History: The French Congo was part of French Equatorial Africa.
• Path to Independence: After the 1958 referendum, the territory opted for autonomy within the French Community.
• Independence: The Republic of the Congo declared independence on August 15, 1960, with Fulbert Youlou as its first president.
• Chad:
• Colonial History: Chad was also part of French Equatorial Africa.
• Path to Independence: After voting for the new French constitution in 1958, Chad became an autonomous republic within the French Community.
• Independence: Chad declared its independence on August 11, 1960. François Tombalbaye became its first president.
• Madagascar:
• Colonial History: An island nation in the Indian Ocean, Madagascar was a French colony from the late 19th century.
• Path to Independence: After some years of nationalist movements, Madagascar moved towards autonomy.
• Independence: Madagascar became independent on June 26, 1960, with Philibert Tsiranana as its first president.
• Cameroon:
• Colonial History: Cameroon was first colonized by the Germans in the late 19th century. After World War I, it was divided between the French and the British under League of Nations mandates.
• Path to Independence: Following a UN-sponsored plebiscite in 1960, French Cameroon opted for independence.
• Independence: French Cameroon became independent on January 1, 1960, and Ahmadou Ahidjo was appointed its first president.
• Senegal:
• Colonial History: Senegal became a French colony in the 19th century.
• Path to Independence: It achieved the status of a French overseas territory after World War II. In 1959, Senegal and the French Sudan (now Mali) merged to form the Mali Federation.
• Independence: The Mali Federation became independent on June 20, 1960, but soon after, on August 20, Senegal left the federation and became an independent republic with Léopold Sédar Senghor as its first president.
• Togo:
• Colonial History: Togo was colonized by Germany and was later divided between France and Britain after World War I.
• Path to Independence: The French part of Togo became an autonomous republic within the French Union in the late 1950s.
• Independence: On April 27, 1960, Togo gained independence from France with Sylvanus Olympio as its first president.
• Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire):
• Colonial History: Initially known as the Congo Free State, the territory was a private holding of King Leopold II of Belgium before becoming a Belgian colony.
• Path to Independence: Growing nationalist sentiment led to widespread demands for independence.
• Independence: On June 30, 1960, the Democratic Republic of the Congo became independent from Belgium. Patrice Lumumba became the first prime minister, and Joseph Kasa-Vubu was appointed as the first president.
• Somalia:
• Colonial History: The region was divided among various colonial powers, with the British controlling the north (British Somaliland) and the Italians controlling the south (Italian Somaliland).
• Path to Independence: Both British and Italian parts moved towards independence in the late 1950s.
• Independence: British Somaliland became independent on June 26, 1960, and Italian Somaliland followed on July 1, 1960. The two then merged to form the Somali Republic with Aden Abdullah Osman Daar as its first president.
• Gabon:
• Colonial History: Gabon was a part of French Equatorial Africa.
• Path to Independence: Like other French territories, Gabon moved towards greater autonomy in the late 1950s.
• Independence: On August 16, 1960, Gabon declared its independence from France. Léon M'ba became its first president.
• Nigeria:
• Colonial History: Nigeria came under British control in the late 19th century.
• Path to Independence: Growing nationalist movements in the 1950s paved the way for Nigeria's move towards self-rule.
• Independence: Nigeria became independent from the UK on October 1, 1960. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa became its first prime minister, with Nnamdi Azikiwe as the governor-general.
• Burkina Faso (known as Upper Volta at the time):
• Colonial History: The region, part of French West Africa, was under French colonial rule.
• Path to Independence: After World War II, it became a French overseas territory and gradually moved toward autonomy.
• Independence: Upper Volta declared independence from France on August 5, 1960. Maurice Yaméogo became its first president.
• Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast):
• Colonial History: Ivory Coast was colonized by the French in the late 19th century.
• Path to Independence: Like many other French colonies, it achieved the status of a French overseas territory after World War II.
• Independence: Côte d'Ivoire became independent from France on August 7, 1960, with Félix Houphouët-Boigny as its first president.
• Central African Republic:
• Colonial History: It was part of French Equatorial Africa.
Independence: The Central African Republic declared its independence from France on August 13, 1960, and David Dacko became its first president.