A Salute to Our African Nations

A NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This article continues our salute to the independence anniversary of African nations. This acknowledges our respect and appreciation of our brothers and sisters among us as we work together to build better lives.

Somalia officially gained full independence from colonial rule on July 1, 1960, when the Italian-administered Trust Territory of Somalia united with the newly independent-governed State of Somaliland. With all Somali people under one national government, they functioned as a democratic republic until 1969. The reign and eventual collapse of the polarizing Somali president, Siad Barre, led to a civil war in 1991

Rwanda’s Path to Independence: July 1, 1962

Under German and Belgium authority, Rwandans were separated by ethnic groups creating tensions that continued after independence had been granted in July 1962. 

Although the monarchy was overthrown and power was given to the Hutu leaders, those of the Tutsi ethnic group found themselves in exile. These divisions culminated in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, which lead to the death of nearly 8000,000 people in the span of 100 days. This violence ended when the Rwandan Patriotic Front took control of the capital city Kigali on July 4, 1994, commemorated now as Liberation Day. Today, Rwanda prefers to celebrate Liberation Day over independence day, as it signifies unity and reconciliation for all.

Burundi’s Path to Independence: July 1, 1962

Burundi gained independence from Belgian administration on July 1, 1962 following the dissolution of the UN Trust Territory of Ruanda-Urundi. Burundi maintained a traditional monarchy for a few years after independence until it was overthrown in 1966 and the Republic of Burundi was established. Much like Rwanda, ethnic tensions between the Hutu and Tutsi groups lead to violent conflict, military coups, and political instability that lead to the Burundi Civil War from 1993-2005.

Cabo (Cape) Verde’s Path to Independence: July 5, 1975

Cabo Verde became independent of Portuguese colonial rule on July 5, 1975, after a nearly two-decade political and diplomatic campaign led by the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cabo Verde (PAIGC). A military coup, known as the Carnation Revolution in Portugal, toppled its authoritarian regime in 1974 and paved the way for CaboVerde to negotiate their independence. Initially, the newly independent country was governed by a one-party system, but in 1990 introduced multi-party elections.

Algeria’s Path to Independence: July 5, 1962

Algeria achieved independence on July 5, 1962 after 132 years of French colonization. Political exclusion and economic inequality lead to nationalist movements such as the National Liberation Front, who in 1954 coordinated an uprising that marked the start of the Algerian War of Independence. Eight years of violent conflict eventually led to cease fire negotiations known as the Evian Accords in March 1962; putting an end to the war and officially recognizing Algeria as an independent nation.

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