# Mali Federation

> former West African country consisting of the French colonies of Senegal and French Sudan

**Wikidata**: [Q216632](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q216632)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mali_Federation)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mali-federation

## Summary
The Mali Federation was a former West African country that existed from 1959 to 1960, consisting of the French colonies of Senegal and French Sudan. It was dissolved on August 20, 1960, and later succeeded by independent Senegal and Mali.

## Key Facts
- **Inception**: January 17, 1959
- **Dissolved**: August 20, 1960
- **Population**: 7,450,000
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 14.459888888888889, Longitude -12.206694444444445
- **Currency**: CFA franc (shared with 14 other African countries)
- **Capital**: Dakar (shared with Senegal)
- **Languages**: French (official language)
- **Predecessor**: Sudanese Republic (1958–1959)
- **Successors**: Senegal (independent since 1960) and Mali (independent since September 22, 1960)
- **Classification**: Historical sovereign state

## FAQs
**What was the Mali Federation?**
The Mali Federation was a short-lived West African country formed in 1959 from the French colonies of Senegal and French Sudan. It dissolved in 1960 and was succeeded by independent Senegal and Mali.

**When did the Mali Federation exist?**
The Mali Federation existed from January 17, 1959, to August 20, 1960.

**What was the capital of the Mali Federation?**
Dakar served as the capital of the Mali Federation, which was also the capital of Senegal.

**What currency did the Mali Federation use?**
The Mali Federation used the CFA franc, a currency shared with 14 other African countries.

**Who were the leaders of the Mali Federation?**
The Mali Federation was led by Abdoulaye Wade, who later became the third President of Senegal.

**What happened to the Mali Federation?**
The Mali Federation dissolved on August 20, 1960, and its territories became independent states: Senegal and Mali.

## Why It Matters
The Mali Federation was a significant historical event in West Africa, marking the transition from colonial rule to independence. Its brief existence highlighted the political and administrative challenges of unifying two distinct regions under a single government. The dissolution of the federation set the stage for the independent nations of Senegal and Mali, each developing their own identities and governance structures. The CFA franc, introduced during this period, became a shared economic system for multiple African countries, influencing regional economic integration.

## Notable For
- First use of the CFA franc as a shared currency across multiple African nations.
- Shortest-lived sovereign state in West Africa, lasting only 7 months.
- Served as a transitional administrative unit before the independence of Senegal and Mali.
- Shared capital with Senegal, Dakar, which became a major economic and political hub.
- Preceded the Sudanese Republic, another short-lived state in the region.

## Body
### History
The Mali Federation was established on January 17, 1959, following the dissolution of the Sudanese Republic. It was formed by merging the French colonies of Senegal and French Sudan, aiming to create a unified administrative structure. However, political and administrative challenges led to its dissolution on August 20, 1960. The federation was succeeded by independent Senegal and Mali, which gained full sovereignty on August 20, 1960, and September 22, 1960, respectively.

### Geography and Administration
The Mali Federation was located in West Africa, with its capital in Dakar, Senegal. The region included territories that would later become independent states. The CFA franc was introduced as the common currency, facilitating economic integration across the region.

### Political Leadership
Abdoulaye Wade, who later became the third President of Senegal, played a role in the governance of the Mali Federation. His leadership during this period influenced Senegal's political trajectory.

### Economic and Currency Systems
The Mali Federation adopted the CFA franc, a currency shared with 14 other African countries. This system aimed to stabilize the economy and promote regional economic cooperation.

### Successors
The dissolution of the Mali Federation led to the establishment of independent Senegal and Mali. Senegal became fully independent in 1960, while Mali gained independence on September 22, 1960. Both nations developed distinct political and economic identities post-independence.

### Cultural and Linguistic Context
French was the official language of the Mali Federation, reflecting its colonial heritage. The shared linguistic and cultural ties between Senegal and Mali influenced the region's post-independence development.

### Related Entities
The Mali Federation was preceded by the Sudanese Republic, another short-lived state in the region. It was succeeded by Senegal and Mali, which became independent nations. The CFA franc, introduced during this period, became a key economic tool for multiple African countries.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. Dizionario di Storia