Africa 2020: Country information

1960 is referred to as the Year of Africa because of the developments during that year: increasing Pan-African sentiments, a peak of independence movements, but also growing post-colonial violence. No less than 17 African nations became independent.

Below is a list of those countries, with links to the information on the ASCL Country Portal, the countries' histories on Wikipedia, the ASCL/Leiden University experts, and selected open access publications.

Also check out the web dossier 'African leaders of independence' and its corresponding timeline (both work in progress).

Cameroon
On 1 January 1960, French Cameroun gained independence from France. On 1 October 1961, the formerly British Southern Cameroons gained independence and joined with French Cameroun to form the Federal Republic of Cameroon.

ASCL Country Portal on Cameroon 
Wikipedia: History of Cameroon

ASCL experts: Mirjam de Bruijn, Mayke Kaag, Harrison Esam Awuh
Leiden University experts: Walter Nkwi
ASCL Infosheet 'Cameroon at 60'
Further reading

Togo
Became independent from France on 27 April 1960. 

ASCL Country Portal on Togo 
Wikipedia: History of Togo

ASCL Community experts: Samuel Aniegye Ntewusu
ASCL Infosheet 'Togo at 60'
Further reading
 

Mali
The Mali Federation became independent from France on 20 June 1960, then split into Mali and Senegal on 20 August. The independent Republic of Mali was created on 22 September 1960.

ASCL Country Portal on Mali 
Wikipedia: History of Mali

ASCL experts: Mirjam de Bruijn, Rahmane Idrissa, Han van Dijk
ASCL Infosheet 'Mali at 60'
Further reading
 

Madagascar
Became independent from France on 26 June 1960.

ASCL Country Portal on Madagascar 
Wikipedia: History of Madagascar

ASCL Community expert: Juvence Ramasy
ASCL Infosheet 'Madagascar at 60'
Further reading
 

Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa)
Achieved independence from Belgium on 30 June 1960.

ASCL Country Portal on Democratic Republic of the Congo
Wikipedia: History of Democratic Republic of the Congo

Leiden University experts: Carolien Jacobs, Ingrid Samset, Catherina Wilson
ASCL Infosheet 'DRC at 60'
Further reading

Somalia
On 26 June, British Somaliland became the independent State of Somaliland. It united with the Italian Trust Territory of Somalia to create the Somali Republic on 1 July. 

ASCL Country Portal on Somalia
Wikipedia: History of Somalia

ASCL experts: Jan Abbink, Annachiara Raia
ASCL Infosheet 'Somalia at 60'
Further reading
Web dossier: Somali literature

Benin
Dahomey, renamed Benin in 1975, became independent from France on 1 August 1960.

ASCL Country Portal on Benin
Wikipedia: History of Benin

ASCL expert: Kassim Assouma
ASCL Infosheet 'Benin at 60'
Further reading
 

Niger
Niger became independent from France on 3 August 1960.

ASCL Country Portal on Niger
Wikipedia: History of Niger

ASCL experts: Klaas van Walraven, Abdourahmane Idrissa, Han van Dijk
ASCL Infosheet 'Niger at 60'
Further reading

Burkina Faso
Upper Volta, renamed Burkina Faso in 1984, became independent from France on 5 August 1960.

ASCL Country Portal on Burkina Faso
Wikipedia: History of Burkina Faso

ASCL experts: Mirjam de Bruijn, Rahmane Idrissa, Han van Dijk
ASCL Infosheet 'Burkina Faso at 60'
Further reading
 

Côte d'Ivoire
Became independent from France on 7 August 1960.

ASCL Country Portal on Côte d'Ivoire
Wikipedia: History of Côte d'Ivoire

ASCL Community expert: Sander Muilerman, Issouf Binaté
ASCL Infosheet 'Côte d'Ivoire at 60'
Further reading
 

Chad
Became independent from France on 11 August 1960.

ASCL Country Portal on Chad
Wikipedia: History of Chad

ASCL experts: Mirjam de Bruijn, Han van Dijk, Mayke Kaag 
ASCL Infosheet 'Chad at 60'
Further reading
 

Central African Republic
Became independent from France on 13 August 1960.

ASCL Country Portal on Central African Republic
Wikipedia: History of Central African Republic

ASCL experts: Mirjam de Bruijn, Klaas van Walraven
Leiden University expert: Catherina Wilson
ASCL Infosheet 'CAR at 60'
Further reading

Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville)
Became independent from France on 15 August 1960.

ASCL Country Portal on the Republic of the Congo
Wikipedia: History of the Republic of the Congo

ASCL experts: Klaas van Walraven, Jan Abbink
ASCL Infosheet 'Republic of the Congo at 60'
Further reading
 

Gabon
Became independent from France on 17 August 1960.

ASCL Country Portal on Gabon
Wikipedia: History of Gabon

ASCL Community expert: Joseph Mangarella
ASCL Infosheet 'Gabon at 60'
Further reading

Senegal
The Mali Federation became independent from France on 20 June 1960. Then it split into Mali and Senegal on 20 August, which is also the date on which Senegal became an independent country.

ASCL Country Portal on Senegal
Wikipedia: History of Senegal

ASCL experts: Mayke Kaag, Abdourahmane Idrissa, Loes Oudenhuijsen
ASCL Infosheet 'Senegal at 60'
Further reading
 

Nigeria
Became independent from the United Kingdom on 1 October 1960.

ASCL Country Portal on Nigeria
Wikipedia: History of Nigeria

ASCL experts: Akinyinka Akinyoade, Chibuike U. Uche, Rahmane Idrissa, Michel Doortmont
Leiden University expert: David Ehrhardt
ASCL Infosheet 'Nigeria at 60'
Further reading

Mauritania
Became independent from France on 28 November 1960.

ASCL Country Portal on Mauritania
Wikipedia: History of Mauritania

ASCL Community expert: Lotte Pelckmans
ASCL Infosheet 'Mauritania at 60'
Further reading