Kenya becomes independent after a long struggle against settler rule

Belgium’s UN trust territories of Rwanda and Burundi became independent as separate states. Their political transitions inherited colonial administrations that had hardened social categories and...

After voters endorsed independence on 1 July, France formally recognized Algerian independence on 3 July; celebrations were held on 5 July. The date marked the end of 132 years of French rule, but the...

Uganda became an independent state after negotiations among British authorities, the Buganda kingdom, and national political parties. The new state combined a central government with kingdoms and...

Thirty-two independent African states signed the OAU Charter in Addis Ababa. The organization committed to African unity, sovereignty, and the eradication of colonialism, including support for...

The Federation of Malaysia joined Malaya, Singapore, Sabah, and Sarawak. Brunei did not join, and Indonesia opposed the federation through Konfrontasi; some communities in Sabah and Sarawak...

An uprising led by the Afro-Shirazi Party and allied forces overthrew the Zanzibar sultanate and its government. The revolution followed a narrow electoral victory by parties associated with Arab...

Tanganyika and Zanzibar formed the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, renamed Tanzania later that year. The union followed Zanzibar’s revolution and reflected Cold War security concerns as...

Northern Rhodesia became the independent Republic of Zambia after decades of African labor organizing and opposition to the Central African Federation, which had privileged white settler political...

Singapore became an independent republic after its separation from Malaysia. The split followed political conflict over federal power, communal politics, and competing visions of multiracial...

Ian Smith’s white-minority government issued a Unilateral Declaration of Independence from Britain to block majority rule. The declaration preserved settler political power over a Black African...