December 31, 1963
The Central African Federation, also known as the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, was officially dissolved, leading to the independence of its constituent countries.
Salisbury, Rhodesia | Central African Federation
On December 31, 1963, the Central African Federation, also known as the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, was officially dissolved. This marked a significant turning point in the history of Southern Africa, leading to the eventual independence of its constituent territories: Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), and Nyasaland (now Malawi).
The Central African Federation was established on August 1, 1953, as a semi-autonomous federation under British colonial rule. It was an attempt to unify the three territories economically and politically, with the aim of creating a self-governing dominion similar to Canada or Australia. The federation was driven by the interests of the white settler minority, who sought to maintain political and economic control over the region.
Rising Nationalism: Throughout the 1950s and early 1960s, there was a growing wave of African nationalism across the continent. In the territories of the federation, indigenous populations increasingly demanded greater political representation and independence.
Political Unrest: The federation faced significant opposition from African nationalist movements, such as the Nyasaland African Congress (NAC) and the Northern Rhodesian African National Congress (NRANC). These groups organized protests and strikes, challenging the legitimacy of the federation.
British Government’s Stance: The British government, under pressure from international and domestic fronts, began to reconsider its colonial policies. The winds of change were blowing across Africa, with Britain granting independence to several colonies.
Constitutional Conferences: A series of constitutional conferences were held in the early 1960s to address the future of the federation. These discussions highlighted the irreconcilable differences between the territories and the impracticality of maintaining the federation.
The formal dissolution of the Central African Federation on December 31, 1963, was a result of these mounting pressures. The decision was made to allow each territory to pursue its own path towards self-governance and independence.
Malawi: Nyasaland became the independent nation of Malawi on July 6, 1964, with Hastings Banda as its first Prime Minister and later President.
Zambia: Northern Rhodesia gained independence as Zambia on October 24, 1964, with Kenneth Kaunda serving as its first President.
Rhodesia: Southern Rhodesia, however, took a different path. The white minority government, led by Ian Smith, unilaterally declared independence from Britain in 1965, leading to a prolonged period of international isolation and conflict. It wasn’t until 1980 that Zimbabwe achieved recognized independence under majority rule.
The dissolution of the Central African Federation was a pivotal moment in the decolonization of Africa. It underscored the failure of colonial powers to impose artificial political structures without the consent and participation of the indigenous populations. The events leading to and following the dissolution played a crucial role in shaping the political landscape of Southern Africa, influencing the region’s trajectory towards independence and self-determination.
Source: www.britannica.com