Mali Federation: Map & History
The Mali Federation was a federation in West Africa that linked the French colonies of Senegal and the Sudanese Republic for two months in 1960.
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The Mali Federation was a federation in West Africa that linked the French colonies of Senegal and the Sudanese Republic for two months in 1960. It was founded on 4 April 1959 as a territory with self-rule within the French Community, and became independent after negotiations with France on 20 June 1960. Two months after independence, on 19 August 1960, Sudanese Republic leaders in the federation tried to take control by mobilizing the army, and Senegalese leaders in the federation retaliated by mobilizing the gendarmerie ; this resulted in a tense standoff, and Senegal withdrew from the federation the next day. Sudanese Republic officials resisted the dissolution of the federation, cut off diplomatic relations with Senegal, and defiantly changed the name of their country to the Republic of Mali. During the brief existence of the Mali Federation, Modibo Keïta, who later became the first president of Mali, served as federation premier, and the government was based in Dakar, the eventual capital of Senegal.
Modern Countries Once Part of Mali Federation
At its mapped extent, Mali Federation covered territory in 3 present-day countries. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
States and Provinces
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Mali Federation's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Mali Federation in Depth
Legacy
Although the Mali Federation existed in name only in Bamako for another month, France and most other nations recognized the two colonies as separate independent countries on 12 September 1960. The Sudanese Union – African Democratic Rally party in French Sudan adopted the slogan "Le Mali Continue" and at a meeting on 22 September the party decided to rename the country Mali and to sever ties with the French Community. The admission to the United Nations for both countries was delayed until late September as a result of the Mali Federation dispute.
Senghor and Keïta both ruled their countries at the time of the split from the Mali Federation and for a number of years: Senghor was president of Senegal from 1960 until 1980 and Keïta from 1960 until 1968.
Background
After World War II, the colonies of French West Africa began pushing significantly for increased self-determination and to redefine their colonial relationships with France. Following the May 1958 crisis, the colonies of French West Africa were given the chance to vote for immediate independence or to join a reorganized French Community (an arrangement which would grant the colonies some self-determination while maintaining ties to France). Only Guinea voted for full independence, and the other colonies of French West Africa voted to join the French Community.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Mali Federation (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Mali Federation: Key Facts
| Capital | Dakar |
|---|---|
| Official language | French |
| Form of government | republic |
| Currency | CFA franc |
| Founded | 17 January 1959 |
| Dissolved | 20 August 1960 |
Preceded by
- Sudanese Republic
Succeeded by
- Senegal
- Mali
Facts from Wikidata Q216632 (CC0).
Mali Federation: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Mali Federation exist?
Mali Federation is dated to 1960 CE – 2024 CE, in the Industrial era.
What was the capital of Mali Federation?
The capital of Mali Federation was Dakar.
How large was Mali Federation at its peak?
At its peak in 1960 Mali Federation covered about 1,446,277 km².
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