Senegalese independence

Senegal became a sovereign state in 1960 after French colonial rule, first within the short-lived Mali Federation and then as an independent republic.

French West Africa: A federation of French colonial territories in West Africa that existed from 1895 to 1958. Senegal’s colonial administration was part of this federation until its dissolution.
French Community: A political association established by France’s 1958 constitution for France and its overseas territories. Senegal first gained autonomy within this association rather than choosing immediate independence.
Senghor–Dia government: The leadership partnership between Léopold Sédar Senghor and Mamadou Dia in independent Senegal’s early years. Their division of political roles shaped the new state’s governing arrangements.
Dissolution of the Mali Federation: The 1960 breakup of the federation formed by Senegal and French Sudan. Its collapse turned Senegal’s initial federal independence into separate statehood.
French Senegal: The French colony and, later, overseas territory that preceded the Republic of Senegal. Its institutions and political status formed the immediate setting for the transition to independence.
Senegalese autonomy: The self-government granted to Senegal as an autonomous republic within the French Community in 1958. It expanded local governing power before Senegal became fully sovereign.
Blaise Diagne: A Senegalese politician who became the first Black African elected to France’s Chamber of Deputies in 1914. His earlier electoral politics helped establish a tradition of Senegalese participation in French institutions.
Senegalese presidential system: The system of government in which Senegal’s president serves as head of state and holds executive authority. The independent republic established the political offices and institutions that developed into this system.
Léopold Sédar Senghor: A Senegalese poet and politician who became the country’s first president. He led Senegal’s principal independence-era political movement and became its first head of state.
Mali Federation: A short-lived federation of Senegal and French Sudan that became independent from France in 1960. Senegal entered independence in federation with French Sudan before the union dissolved.

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