54 countries in Africa and their first president”
Africa is the second largest and second most populous continent in the world. It is also one of the most diverse, with 54 countries that each have their own unique history and culture.
54 countries in Africa and their first president
This post will explore the first president of each of the 54 countries in Africa.
- Algeria – Ahmed Ben Bella
- Angola – Agostinho Neto
- Benin – Hubert Maga
- Botswana – Seretse Khama
- Burkina Faso – Maurice Yaméogo
- Burundi – Michel Micombero
- Cabo Verde – Aristides Pereira
- Cameroon – Ahmadou Ahidjo
- Central African Republic – David Dacko
- Chad – François Tombalbaye
- Comoros – Ahmed Abdallah
- Democratic Republic of Congo – Joseph Kasa-Vubu
- Republic of Congo – Fulbert Youlou
- Côte d’Ivoire – Félix Houphouët-Boigny
- Djibouti – Hassan Gouled Aptidon
- Egypt – Gamal Abdel Nasser
- Equatorial Guinea – Francisco Macías Nguema
- Eritrea – Isaias Afwerki
- Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) – Sobhuza II
- Ethiopia – Haile Selassie
- Gabon – Léon M’ba
- Gambia – Dawda Jawara
- Ghana – Kwame Nkrumah
- Guinea – Ahmed Sékou Touré
- Guinea-Bissau – Luís Cabral
- Kenya – Jomo Kenyatta
- Lesotho – Moshoeshoe II
- Liberia – William Tubman
- Libya – Muammar Gaddafi
- Madagascar – Philibert Tsiranana
- Malawi – Hastings Banda
- Mali – Modibo Keita
- Mauritania – Moktar Ould Daddah
- Mauritius – Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam
- Morocco – Mohammed V
- Mozambique – Samora Machel
- Namibia – Sam Nujoma
- Niger – Hamani Diori
- Nigeria – Nnamdi Azikiwe
- Rwanda – Grégoire Kayibanda
- São Tomé and Principe – Manuel Pinto da Costa
- Senegal – Léopold Sédar Senghor
- Seychelles – James Mancham
- Sierra Leone – Milton Margai
- Somalia – Aden Abdullah Osman Daar
- South Africa – Albert Luthuli
- South Sudan – Salva Kiir Mayardit
- Sudan – Ibrahim Abboud
- Tanzania – Julius Nyerere
- Togo – Sylvanus Olympio
- Tunisia – Habib Bourguiba
- Uganda – Milton Obote
- Zambia – Kenneth Kaunda
- Zimbabwe – Canaan Banana
It is important to note that this list is not exhaustive and only includes the first president of each country following independence from colonial rule. It is also worth mentioning that many of these countries have had a tumultuous political history, with changes in leadership often taking place through coups or revolutions. Nevertheless, the first president of each country has played a significant role in shaping the future of their respective nations.
In conclusion, Africa is a continent with a rich and diverse history, and each of its
54 Africa countries and their year of independence
Here is a list of the 54 African countries and their year of independence:
- Algeria – 1962
- Angola – 1975
- Benin – 1960
- Botswana – 1966
- Burkina Faso – 1960
- Burundi – 1962
- Cabo Verde – 1975
- Cameroon – 1960
- Central African Republic – 1960
- Chad – 1960
- Comoros – 1975
- Democratic Republic of Congo – 1960
- Republic of Congo – 1960
- Côte d’Ivoire – 1960
- Djibouti – 1977
- Egypt – 1952
- Equatorial Guinea – 1968
- Eritrea – 1993
- Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) – 1968
- Ethiopia – 1941 (from Italy) / 1991 (from Soviet Union)
- Gabon – 1960
- Gambia – 1965
- Ghana – 1957
- Guinea – 1958
- Guinea-Bissau – 1974
- Kenya – 1963
- Lesotho – 1966
- Liberia – 1847 (from American Colonization Society) / 1847 (Independence declared)
- Libya – 1951 (British-administered UN trusteeship) / 1969 (full independence)
- Madagascar – 1960
- Malawi – 1964
- Mali – 1960
- Mauritania – 1960
- Mauritius – 1968
- Morocco – 1956
- Mozambique – 1975
- Namibia – 1990
- Niger – 1960
- Nigeria – 1960
- Rwanda – 1962
- São Tomé and Principe – 1975
- Senegal – 1960
- Seychelles – 1976
- Sierra Leone – 1961
- Somalia – 1960
- South Africa – 1910 (Union of South Africa) / 1961 (republic)
- South Sudan – 2011
- Sudan – 1956
- Tanzania – 1961
- Togo – 1960
- Tunisia – 1956
- Uganda – 1962
- Zambia – 1964
- Zimbabwe – 1980 (formerly Rhodesia
Colonization in Africa refers to the historical period in which European powers took control of African territories, resources and people for their own gain. This era lasted from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century, and its impact on Africa has been significant and lasting.
European powers such as Britain, France, Portugal, Belgium, and Germany sought to expand their empires and gain access to new markets, resources, and labor. They did this by establishing colonies in Africa and implementing systems of exploitation, oppression and control. This often involved forcibly removing African peoples from their ancestral lands and resources, imposing European rule and laws, and using forced labor to extract resources for export.
The impact of colonization on Africa was profound and widespread. African societies and economies were disrupted, with traditional ways of life, political structures and trade networks being dismantled. The exploitation of African resources and labor fueled the growth of European economies, but left the African people impoverished and vulnerable to further exploitation.
Moreover, colonialism resulted in the spread of disease, war and famine, which led to widespread suffering and death. European colonization also created arbitrary borders that divided ethnic groups and communities, creating lasting tensions and conflict.
The legacy of colonization in Africa is still felt today, as many African countries struggle with the aftermath of exploitation and oppression, including poverty, underdevelopment, conflict, and political instability. The independence movements of the mid-20th century marked the end of formal European rule in Africa, but the legacy of colonialism continues to shape the continent and its relationship with the world.