Africa’s Struggle for Sovereignty: The History of Africa’s Independence and Democratic Struggles

Crisis of African Nations

Northern Africa

1. Algeria – Algerian Civil War (1991–2002), Black Decade (Islamist insurgency)

2. Egypt – Arab Spring protests (2011), Military coup (2013)

3. Libya – Civil War (2011), Second Civil War (2014–2020)

4. Morocco/Western Sahara – Western Sahara Conflict (1975–present)

5. Sudan – Darfur Genocide (2003–present), Sudanese Revolution (2018–2019), 2023 Sudan Civil War

6. Tunisia – Arab Spring (2011), political assassinations (2013)

 

West Africa

7. Benin – Post-election crisis (2019)

8. Burkina Faso – Coups (1962, 2022), Islamist insurgency

9. Cape Verde – Stable democracy (no major crises)

10. Côte d’Ivoire – Civil Wars (2002–2007, 2010–2011)

11. Gambia – Political crisis (2016–2017)

12. Ghana – Military coups (1966, 1972, 1979, 1981)

13. Guinea – Coups (2008, 2021), repression under Sékou Touré

14. Guinea-Bissau – Multiple coups (1980, 1998, 2003, 2012, 2022)

15. Liberia – Civil Wars (1989–2003)

16. Mali – Military coups (2012, 2020, 2021), Islamist insurgency

17. Mauritania – Coups (1978, 2005, 2008)

18. Niger – Coups (1996, 1999, 2010, 2023), Islamist violence

19. Nigeria – Civil War (1967–1970), Military coups (1966, 1975, 1983, 1985, 1993, 1998), Boko Haram insurgency

20. Senegal – Casamance conflict (1982–present)

21. Sierra Leone – Civil War (1991–2002)

22. Togo – Dictatorship under Gnassingbé Eyadéma (1967–2005), contested elections

 

Central Africa

23. Angola – Civil War (1975–2002)

24. Cameroon – Anglophone Crisis (2016–present)

25. Central African Republic – Civil Wars (2004–2007, 2012–present)

26. Chad – Civil Wars (1965–1982, 2005–2010), coup attempts

27. Democratic Republic of the Congo – Congo Crisis (1960–1965), First and Second Congo Wars (1996–2003), Kivu conflict (2004–present)

28. Republic of the Congo – Civil Wars (1993–1994, 1997–1999)

29. Equatorial Guinea – Repression under Teodoro Obiang (since 1979)

30. Gabon – Coups (1964, 2023)

31. São Tomé and Príncipe – Attempted coup (2003)

 

East Africa

32. Burundi – Civil War (1993–2005), Ethnic massacres (1972, 1993)

33. Comoros – Multiple coups (1975, 1978, 1999, 2008)

34. Djibouti – Civil War (1991–1994)

35. Eritrea – War of Independence (1961–1991), dictatorship under Isaias Afwerki

36. Ethiopia – Red Terror (1977–1978), Civil War (2020–2022)

37. Kenya – Post-election violence (2007–2008)

38. Madagascar – Political crises (2002, 2009)

39. Malawi – Protests against dictatorship (1992–1994)

40. Mauritius – Stable democracy

41. Mozambique – Civil War (1977–1992), Islamist insurgency (2017–present)

42. Rwanda – Genocide (1994)

43. Seychelles – Coup (1977)

44. Somalia – Civil War (1991–present), Al-Shabaab insurgency

45. South Sudan – Civil War (2013–2018)

46. Tanzania – Zanzibar Revolution (1964)

47. Uganda – Idi Amin dictatorship (1971–1979), Lord’s Resistance Army conflict

 

Southern Africa

48. Botswana – Stable democracy

49. Eswatini (Swaziland) – Protests against monarchy (2021)

50. Lesotho – Coups (1986, 1991, 1994, 2014)

51. Malawi – Political unrest (2019)

52. Namibia – War of Independence (1966–1990)

53. South Africa – Apartheid (1948–1994), Xenophobic violence

54. Zambia – One-party rule (1972–1991), Political repression

55. Zimbabwe – Land reform crisis, Economic collapse under Mugabe (2000s)

 

Timeline of Independence

Northern Africa

1. Algeria – 1962 (from France)

2. Egypt – 1922 (from Britain)

3. Libya – 1951 (from Britain and France)

4. Morocco – 1956 (from France and Spain)

5. Sudan – 1956 (from Britain and Egypt)

6. Tunisia – 1956 (from France)

 

West Africa

7. Benin – 1960 (from France)

8. Burkina Faso – 1960 (from France)

9. Cape Verde – 1975 (from Portugal)

10. Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) – 1960 (from France)

11. Gambia – 1965 (from Britain)

12. Ghana – 1957 (from Britain)

13. Guinea – 1958 (from France)

14. Guinea-Bissau – 1973 (from Portugal)

15. Liberia – 1847 (founded by freed American slaves)

16. Mali – 1960 (from France)

17. Mauritania – 1960 (from France)

18. Niger – 1960 (from France)

19. Nigeria – 1960 (from Britain)

20. Senegal – 1960 (from France)

21. Sierra Leone – 1961 (from Britain)

22. Togo – 1960 (from France)

 

Central Africa

23. Angola – 1975 (from Portugal)

24. Cameroon – 1960 (from France, British-administered part joined in 1961)

25. Central African Republic – 1960 (from France)

26. Chad – 1960 (from France)

27. Democratic Republic of the Congo – 1960 (from Belgium)

28. Equatorial Guinea – 1968 (from Spain)

29. Gabon – 1960 (from France)

30. Republic of the Congo – 1960 (from France)

31. São Tomé and Príncipe – 1975 (from Portugal)

 

East Africa

32. Burundi – 1962 (from Belgium)

33. Comoros – 1975 (from France)

34. Djibouti – 1977 (from France)

35. Eritrea – 1993 (from Ethiopia)

36. Ethiopia – Never colonized (recognized in 1941)

37. Kenya – 1963 (from Britain)

38. Madagascar – 1960 (from France)

39. Malawi – 1964 (from Britain)

40. Mauritius – 1968 (from Britain)

41. Mozambique – 1975 (from Portugal)

42. Rwanda – 1962 (from Belgium)

43. Seychelles – 1976 (from Britain)

44. Somalia – 1960 (from Britain and Italy)

45. South Sudan – 2011 (from Sudan)

46. Tanzania – 1961 (Tanganyika from Britain), 1964 (Zanzibar and Tanganyika merged)

47. Uganda – 1962 (from Britain)

48. Zambia – 1964 (from Britain)

 

Southern Africa

49. Botswana – 1966 (from Britain)

50. Eswatini (Swaziland) – 1968 (from Britain)

51. Lesotho – 1966 (from Britain)

52. Namibia – 1990 (from South Africa)

53. South Africa – 1910 (from Britain, full sovereignty in 1961)

54. Zimbabwe – 1980 (from Britain)

 

Africa’s journey to independence was marked by resilience, struggle, and sacrifice. While many nations have overcome colonial rule, the challenges of political instability, civil wars, and democratic setbacks continue to shape the continent’s progress. Understanding these historical conflicts is crucial for building a future of peace, stability, and economic growth. As Africa moves forward, learning from the past can pave the way for stronger democracies and a more prosperous continent.