African Kingdoms

French Equatorial Africa (French Colonies) (Africa)
AD 1910 - 1960
Incorporating French Congo (1882-1903), French Gabon (1885-1960), Upper Ubangi (1894-1899), French Chad (1900-1960), Upper Shari (1900-1903), Middle Congo (1903-1960), Ubangi-Shari (1903-1906), Ubangi-Shari-Chad (1906-1960), Federation of French Colonies (1910-1934), French Colony (1934-1958), & Union of Central African Republics (1959-1960)

In a history of Africa which can at times be difficult to uncover, some native states stand out, if only for the opposition they provided to European colonial efforts. Central Africa was poorly defined as a region until the creation of the colonial-era territories, with only the Bornu empire to the north impinging upon a poorly-settled region. France's interest in Central Africa was formalised in the late nineteenth century.

The colony of French Congo was founded in 1882, having first been formed in 1880 to include the Bateke people of the River Congo's northern shore. Also known as 'Gabon-Congo', it should not be confused with Belgian Congo or Portuguese Congo. It became Middle Congo (or Moyen-Congo in French) in 1903. The core of this colony today forms the nation state of Chad, although it also included areas of today's Gabon and the westernmost part of Central African Republic.

The colony of French Gabon was created in 1885, drawing together several Bantu groups in the process, including the Mpongwe, and absorbing the state of Orungu. This formed the core of today's Gabon nation state.

Upper Ubangi (Haut-Oubangui) was formalised in 1894, although it had existed since 9 December 1891 as part of French Congo. Belgian Congo contested the French presence until an agreement was reached in 1895. Upper Ubangi was merged back into French Congo on 10 December 1899, while Upper Shari (Haut-Chari) was established within French Congo on 5 September 1900. The French Chad military territory was formed in 1900 following the defeat of the Zobeir dynasty. This formed the basis of the post-colonial nation state of Chad.

The colony of Ubangi-Shari (or Oubangui-Chari) was founded on 29 December 1903. This included territory between the Ubangi and Shari rivers and incorporated the former Upper Ubangi and Upper Shari colonies. This merged with French settlements around Lake Chad on 11 February 1906 to create Ubangi-Shari-Chad. It gained the sultanates of Rafaï and Zémio in 1909, and Bangassou in 1917, plus the sultanate of Dar al-Kuti (all now within Central African Republic).

(Information by Peter Kessler, with additional information by Richard A Bradshaw and Juan Fandos-Rius, from Culture and Customs of the Central African Republic, Jacqueline Woodfrok (Greenwood Press, 2006), from Historical Dictionary of the Central African Republic, Pierre Kalck (Third Ed, Scarecrow Press 2005), from The Value of Disorder: Autonomy, Prosperity, and Plunder in the Chadian Sahara, Julien Brachet & Judith Scheele (Cambridge University Press, 2019), from Histoire militaire des colonies, pays de protectorat et pays sous mandat. 7 (Histoire militaire de l'Afrique Équatoriale française, 1931, in French), and from External Links: BBC Country Profiles, and Bokassa's ruined palace in CAR (BBC), and Bokassa Successor Says Dictator Killed Children in April Massacre (The New York Times), and French Equatorial Africa (World Statsemen).)

1910

The 'Federation of French Colonies' is formed by France. It groups together previously separate colonial entities in Central Africa which include French Congo (founded 1882, and Middle Congo from 1903), French Gabon (created 1885), Upper Ubangi (formalised 1894), Upper Shari (established 1900), French Chad (formed 1900), and Ubangi-Shari (founded 1903, or Ubangi-Shari-Chad from 1906).

Around the same time, in the early 1900s, Fang migration into traditional Mpongwe lands induces many of the Mpongwe to adopt urban life and become leaders within the French colonial structure and the later independent Gabon.

1910 - 1917

Gov-general of FEA (AEF in French). Formerly in French Congo.

1908 - 1909

Acting governor-general.

1909 - 1910

Acting governor-general.

1910

Acting governor-general.

1910 - 1911

Acting governor-general for the second time. Died.

1911 - 1919

The Treaty of Fez sees France cede a vast area of the Lobaye and Sangha basins to the German empire as its Neukameron colony in exchange for a smaller area of territory (which today falls within the borders of Chad). Following the conclusion of the First World War, France seizes back the territory it had ceded.

The entirety of 'French Equatorial Africa' is offered for quick and profitable exploitation by any private company that is willing to take a risk in exchange for a percentage of profits being placed in the French treasury (a programme which largely fails). The native population is hit hard by imported disease, as well as famine.

By 1919, with the conclusion of the First World War, the African colonies found themselves being exploited for their resources more intensely than ever before

1911

Acting governor-general.

1911

Acting governor-general.

1912 - 1913

Acting governor-general for the second time.

1912

Having fought the warriors of Dar al-Kuti in January 1911 and suffering a destructive raid in December, the French decide to resolve matters once and for all. On 17 December 1912, Captain Souclier captures Ouanda-Djallé and Sultan Kamoun seeks refuge in the Sudan.

The sultanate comes under direct French administration within the 'Federation of French Colonies' as part of their protectorate. The 'Circonscription de Dar el-Kouti' is created in place of the sultanate. That name is used for the last time between 1937 to 1946 as the Département du Dar el-Kouti.

1913

Acting governor-general.

1913 - 1914

Acting governor-general.

1917 - 1920

Governor-general of FEA.

1917

Upon the death of its last formal ruler and the imprisonment under house arrest of his successor, Bozanga, the sultanate of Bangassou is suppressed by the French. The sultanate comes under direct French administration within 'French Equatorial Africa' as part of their protectorate.

1917 - 1918

Acting governor-general for the second time.

1918 - 1920

Acting governor-general for a third time.

1920

Acting governor-general.

1920 - 1923

Governor-general of FEA.

1920

The territory of Ubangi-Shari is reorganised within 'French Equatorial Africa', which also includes territory which today forms parts of Chad, Gabon, and 'Republic of Congo', as well as Central African Republic (CAR).

1921 - 1996

Jean Bedel Bokassa is born on 22 February 1921 in Bobangui (now within CAR), Middle Congo. He dies on 3 November 1996 in Bangui, having replaced a newly independent Central African Republic with his own 'Central African Empire' (in 1976) and then having seen it fall apart (in 1979).

1923 - 1924

Acting governor-general of FEA.

1924

Acting governor-general of FEA.

1924

Acting governor-general of FEA for the second time.

1924

Acting governor-general of FEA for the second time.

1924 - 1934

Governor-general of FEA.

1925

Acting governor-general for a third time.

1927

The French colonial government in Gabon which is part of 'French Equatorial Africa' extinguishes the state of Orungu. Following this act the hereditary monarchy suffers the problem of not one but two pretenders. No dates are known for either of them, and the first even remains nameless as far as the historical record is concerned.

1927

Acting governor-general.

1927

Acting governor-general.

1928

The Kongo-Wara Rebellion - otherwise known as the 'War of the Hoe Handle' or the Baya War - breaks out in western Ubangi-Shari. The prime cause is the forced labour to which the natives have been subject, and the high cost in lives which results. It continues for several years, mostly within territory which today forms CAR.

France suppresses news of the rebellion at home, even though it is the smallest of the anti-colonial uprisings of the inter-war period, being dwarfed by the larger Kongo rebellion.

1929 - 1930

Acting governor-general for a fourth time.

1930 - 1931

Acting governor-general.

1932 - 1933

Acting governor-general for a fifth time.

1934

Acting governor-general of FEA for the second time.

1934 - 1935

Governor-general of FEA.

1934

The 'Federation of French Colonies' is replaced at the same time as Ubangi-Shari-Chad is brought back into the fold, having been separated in 1916. This general reorganisation creates the greater 'French Colony' to replace the federation.

1935 - 1936

Acting governor-general of FEA for a third time.

1936 - 1939

Governor-general of FEA (formerly acting in 1927).

1939

Acting governor-general of FEA.

1939 - 1940

Governor-general of FEA.

1940

Acting governor-general.

1940

Acting governor-general of FEA.

1940

Acting governor-general of FEA.

1940 - 1944

Governor-general of FEA (acting to 15 Jul 1941). Died.

1941 - 1942

High commissioner of 'Free' French Africa (Aug-Jul).

1944 - 1946

Governor-general of FEA (acting to 2 Oct 1944).

1946 - 1947

Acting governor-general of FEA (later full governor).

1947

Acting governor-general of FEA.

1947

Governor-general of FEA. Died.

1947 - 1948

Governor-general of FEA (acting to 15 Nov 1947).

1948 - 1951

Governor-general of FEA.

1951 - 1958

Governor-general of FEA. High commissioner in 1957.

1958

High commissioner of FEA.

1958

'French Equatorial Africa' is dissolved as the republics become autonomous. This ends the 'French Colony' and replaces it in 1959 with the 'Union of Central Africa Republics'.

1958 - 1960

High commissioner of FEA.

1958 - 1960

Ubangi-Shari high commissioner (CAR).

1960

Full independence from France is achieved. Dar al-Kuti's former ruling family remain prominent, holding positions of authority by 1974, but that of Bangassou seemingly fades into the background.

Ubangi-Shari,  which still consists of territory between the Ubangi and Chari rivers, forms the core of a new state which also absorbs the former territory of Bangassou, Dar al-Kuti, Rafaï, and Zémio. The new state is to be known as Central African Republic. Former French Congo becomes Chad, French Gabon becomes Gabon.