

Its dense forest – a copious jungle – is home to substantial renewable forest resources. History: Gabon's location has been both a blessing and a curse. République gabonaiseIndependence 17 August 1960 History: this Central African country, partially covered by equatorial forest, has probably long been populated. République du Congo (Brazzaville)Independence 15 August 1960 History: this is one of the rare colonial territories whose name, invented in the independence era of pan-African aspirations. République centrafricaineIndependence 13 August 1960 History: Chad is a vast country in the heart of the African continent. République du TchadIndependence 11 August 1960 History: in 1960, the independent Republic of Ivory Coast (RCI) keeps the name that had been attributed to it in the 15th century by Portuguese explorers. République de Côte-d’IvoireIndependence 7 August 1960 History: if any country can be called a miraculous survivor of colonization, it's Upper Volta (the colonial name of Burkina Faso). République du Burkina FasoIndependence 5 August 1960 In Europe the country is popularized by the writings. The country owes its name to the river that runs through it. République du NigerIndependence 3 August 1960 History: today's Benin should not be confused with the Benin of ancient African history. République du BéninIndependence 1 August 1960 History: the population of Somalia, a crossroads and area of dynamic trade in the Horn of Africa. Republic of SomaliaIndependence 1 July 1960 History: the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is Africa's third largest country – 60% of which is covered by equatorial forest. République Démocratique du CongoIndependence 30 June 1960 History: the 'great island' of the Indian Ocean still holds many mysteries, despite the numerous 'oral traditions'. République de MadagascarIndependence 26 June 1960 History: Togo takes its name from Togodo, which means 'village on the opposite bank'. République togolaiseIndependence 27 April 1960 History: a Central African country whose name is derived from the Portuguese Rio dos Camarões, the 'river of shrimps'. Republic of Cameroon - République du CamerounIndependence 1 January 1960 Far from it.ġ960 is a record year for independence.Between 1 January and 28 November 1960, no fewer than 18 countries declare it: Cyprus and 17 African countries. So while 1960 is their official year of political independence, 'independence day' does not mean a complete break. Nevertheless, many new independent states, such as those of French West Africa, maintain strong economic and strategic ties with their former colonizer. On the political and international scene, and against the backdrop of national movements, the personalities of African leaders, intellectuals and union organizers play an important role in the gradual emancipation of independent African states and in the emergence of African cultures.Īnd while some new states are tempted by socialism, pan-Africanism and the non-aligned movement are the era's predominant ideologies, driving the mass movement that is decolonization. Many factors contribute to making it a long process with a drawn-out denouement.

In 1960, the 17 African states in question do not share the same path to independence. The Suns of Independence, Ahmadou Kourouma, 1968 'Independence enveloped Africa like a swarm of locusts, leaving nothing in most pockets but national identity and state party cards. The title is a play on the Malinke word tile, which means 'sun' or 'day' but also 'era' or 'epoque'. The story takes place in a utopian African country, the 'Republic of the Ebony Coast', in turmoil and racked by drastic changes.

The Suns of Independence is a 1968 novel written by Ahmadou Kourouma (Ivory Coast) in reaction to the upheavals experienced by African political regimes emerging from decolonization.
