French West Africa

French West Africa

Quick reference

General issues: Federation of French colonies 1944-1946, Federation of French overseas territories 1946-1959

Country name on general issues: Afrique Occidentale Française

Special issues: Regional issues Dakar-Abidjan 1959

Currency: 1 Franc = 100 Centimes 1944-1959

Population: 18 746 000 in 1944, 20 655 000 in 1959

Political history French West Africa

French West Africa is a federation of French possessions in western Africa. Although French West Africa has issued stamps from 1944 until 1959 only, this profile will cover the history of French West Africa, from its formation until its dissolution, to allow for an overview profile of the complex history of the area.

Establishing the French presence in western Africa

Palace of the Governor General of French West Africa

With the exception of Senegal, the French first settle in western Africa in the course of the 19th century. By the middle of the 19th century the French have settled in what will become Dahomey, French Guinea, Ivory Coast and Senegal. French control at the time is limited mainly to settlements in the coastal regions. An important boost to the process of colonization is the Berlin conference of 1885. At this conference the spheres of influence of the colonial powers in Africa are divided. An important prerequisite for continued recognition of awarded claims is the establishment of effective colonial rule. France, at the conference, acquires large parts of western Africa – most lying well beyond the limits of French control at the time of the conference.

Extending colonial rule

The French, in the course of the 19th century, had settled in western Africa mainly by signing treaties with the local rulers often forming protectorates. These protectorates are, by the end of the 19th century, annexed to become colonies. Having established themselves in the coastal regions, the French, from the end of the 19th century, extend colonial rule further inland. In the process, the first step may be to again sign treaties of protection with the local rulers. Often though the advance will be by military force leading to the establishment military territories with military administration. As the process of ‘pacification’ progresses, civil territories will be formed with civil administration. Finally, the civil territories will be elevated to colonies. This process will take the French until the 1920’s to complete.

The formation French West Africa

William Merlaud-Ponty - Governor General 1904-1908

William Merlaud-Ponty – Delegate 1899-1904 & Governor General 1904-1908

In western Africa the French, in 1895, appoint a governor general to whom the governors of the individual possessions report – thus, the federation of French West Africa is de facto established, albeit the name ‘French West Africa’ will be used officially only from 1904. The capital of the federation is St. Louis and from 1902 Dakar – both in Senegal. In 1895, four French possessions are part of French West Africa: French Guinea, French Sudan, Ivory Coast and Senegal. Dahomey becomes part of the federation in 1899.

At the outset, the governor general had limited authority over the individual countries within the federation, the lieutenant governors, often bypassing the governor general, reporting directly to the colonial office in Paris. It took until 1904 for the authority of the governor general to be fully established.

The development of French West Africa

The external borders of French West Africa are defined through treaties with the neighboring countries – mostly between 1890 and 1900. The internal borders are changed frequently as the administrative organization of French West Africa changes – the last major changes to be effected in 1947. An overview of these changes is given below – for more details please refer to the profiles of the countries involved.

As French West Africa is formed in 1895, French Guinea, French Sudan, Ivory Coast and Senegal are part of French West Africa – Dahomey to be added in 1899. At the time, sometimes large parts of these countries have yet to be brought under French control.
French Sudan is dissolved in 1899. Several provinces become part of Dahomey, French Guinea and Ivory Coast. The remainder becomes the French territory of Upper Senegal & Middle Niger consisting of one district with civil administration, two districts with military administration and a vast territory that has yet to be brought under French control.