Year of Africa 1960 Trivia Quiz

Answer:

Cameroon on January 1

Cameroon was a former German colony which was divided between France and the UK in 1918. The north territory controlled by the French proclaimed its independence first. A year later, it merged with the southern part under British control. On May 5, 1960, Ahmadou Ahidjo was elected as the country's first president.

Togo on April 27

Togo was another former German colony which came under the control of the French and the British after WWI. In 1956, country became an autonomous republic under the French Union. Sylvanus Olympio was the first president, but was later killed in a January 1963 coup d'état.

Madagascar on June 26

The island nation became a French oversea territory in 1946. In 1958, it was proclaimed an autonomous state within the French Community. Philibert Tsiranana became the first president in 1960.

Democratic Republic of the Congo on June 30

In 1959, the country was known as Belgian Congo. It was renamed as Zaire in 1971 under former leader Mobutu Sese Seko. In 1997, it changed its name to the Democratic Republic of the Congo when Mobutu was deposed by Laurent Kabila in 1997.

Somalia on July 1

The former Italian colony merged with the former British protectorate of Somaliland on the day it became independent in 1960 to form the Somali Republic.

Benin on August 1

Formerly known as Dahomey, the power was transferred to President Hubert Naga after its independence. In 1975, the country changed its name to Benin.

Niger on August 3

In 1958, the power was transferred Hamani Diori who became the country's first president. The country officially proclaimed its independence in 1960. Diori was subsequently overthrown by a coup d'état in 1974.

Burkina Faso on August 5

Formerly known as Upper Volta, the country proclaimed its independence on December 11, 1958, but remained part of the French Community before gaining full independence on August 5, 1960. In 1984, the country was renamed Burkina Faso.

Cote d'Ivoire on August 7

In 1958, the country became an autonomous republic and two years later, it proclaimed its full independence from France. The country subsequently became one of the most prosperous West African nations.

Chad on August 11

In 1958, it became a republic and it became fully independence from France in 1960. François Tombalbaye became the first president of Chad. However, the country deteriorated rapidly into civil war between the Muslim north and the Christian-majority south.

Central African Republic on August 13

The country was under France in 1905. Formerly known as Ubangi-Chari, the country was renamed Central African Republic on December 1, 1958. Barthélémy Boganda who was supposed to became its first president, but died in a plane crash in March 1959. David Dacko became its first president in 1960.

The Republic of the Congo on August 15

In 1958, it became an autonomous republic under the French. After gaining full independence in 1960, Fulbert Youlou served as the first president until 1963.

Gabon on August 17

Prime Minister Léon M'Ba proclaimed Gabonese independence on August 17, 1960. He actually preferred to remain as a French department, but was rejected by Charles de Gaulle.

Senegal and Mali on August 20 and September 22

Both countries were formerly part of a short-lived Federation of Mali established on January 17, 1959. Senegal, formerly as French Sudan, initially intended to form a union with Sudan. The union was not successful due to the differences between Léopold Sédar Senghor, the Senegalese president of the Federal Assembly, and Modibo Keita, his Sudanese prime minister, the authorities in Dakar. After withdrawing from the federation, Senegal declared its independence on August 20. This was followed by Mali a month later.

Nigeria on October 1

In 1954, the country was divided into a federation of three regions - North, East and West - by the Lyttleton Constitution. In 1960, the former British colony declared its independence.

Mauritania on November 28

Despite opposition from Morocco and the Arab League, the country declared its independence from France. In 1964, the country established its constitution and Ould Daddah became the first president which he served until 1978.