About African History

World War II in Africa: Timeline - July 1940

2009-07-01T00:20:43Z

One month into World War II in Africa and both sides were testing the waters � the British had to deal with the potential threat of a French fleet under the command of Germany, whereas Italy was looking to secure its position in East Africa�

1 July 1890 - The Scramble for Africa: The Heligoland Treaty

2009-07-01T00:10:00Z

What is the connection between an island in the North Sea and the reason why Mt Kilimanjaro is in Tanzania rather than Kenya? The answer lies in the Heligoland Treaty and Britain's Queen Victoria desire for her grandson, the German Kaiser Wilhelm II, to 'have' a mountain in Africa. Read more...

A Few Words From Sam Nujoma ...

2009-06-29T00:10:28Z

"Did they come with any sand to this country? At which point of this country did they enter with sand in their bags to claim they own the land in Namibia?"

Samuel Daniel Nujoma, president of Namibia 21 March 1990 to 21 March 2005, from the article 'Land Issue Gathering Steam' in New African, May 2001.

"Our politicians should be excellent examples of honest and accountable leadership that our youth and the community at large can follow."

Sam Nujoma, president of Namibia, speaking on the seventh anniversary of Namibia's independence at Windhoek, 21 March, 1997.

Freedom Charter Adopted in South Africa � 26 June 1955

2009-06-26T00:10:09Z

Three years after the start of the Defiance Campaign, anti-Apartheid activists held a Congress of the People in a Johannesburg suburb, Kliptown. Delegates ratified the Freedom Charter. The document set out the demand for a multi-racial democratically elected government, equal opportunities, and a redistribution of land. Only about 50 of the 3,000 people attending were white, including British Anglican missionary, Father Trevor Huddleston. The South African governments responded with a raid by police armed with Sten guns and rifles with affixed bayonets. Find out what the Freedom Charter said...

Gamal Abdel Nasser Elected President of Egypt - 23 June 1956

2009-06-23T00:10:37Z

Gamal Abdel Nasser had already been acting head of state for Egypt since 14 November 1954 as Chairman of the Revolutionary Council (as well as taking over from Muhammad Naguib for three days in February 1954) when he was elected as president on 23 June 1956. He took office officially two days later on 25 June.

Nasser was the power behind the Free Officers Movement which seized power in 1953, bringing an end to the British-backed monarchy and turning Egypt into a republic. A consummate statesman, he played Western powers against the Soviets in order to gain considerable concessions for his country. Nasser seized the Suez Canal on 26 July 1956 � the resultant international crisis, in which Israeli, French, and British troops carried out a Tripartite Invasion of the Canal Zone and Sinai region, was a beacon to the rest of Africa in the struggle for independence.

Nasser was president of Egypt until his death on 28 September 1970 when he was succeeded by Anwar Sadat.

A Few Words From Gamal Abdel Nasser ...

2009-06-22T07:42:41Z

"Every one of us is able in his own way to perform a miracle."

Gamal Abdel Nasser, president of Egypt from 25 June 1956 to 28 September 1970, a quoted in John Gunther's Inside Africa, New York, 1955.

"[W]e are in Africa. The people of Africa will continue to look up to us, who guard the northern gate of the continent and who are its connecting link with the world outside. We cannot, under any condition, relinquish our responsibility in helping, in every way possible, in diffusing the light of civilization into the farthest parts of that virgin jungle ..."

Gamal Abdel Nasser, president of Egypt, from his text Egypt's Liberation: The Philosophy of the Revolution, 1955, as quoted in Rolf Italiaander's The New Leaders of Africa, New Jersey, 1961.

"Free men are the most fanatical defender of their liberty, nor do they lightly forget those who have championed their struggle for independence."

Gamal Abdel Nasser, president of Egypt, from 'The Egyptian Revolution', Foreign Affairs, January 1955.

21 June 1942 � World War II: Tobruk falls

2009-06-21T00:10:00Z

Considered by Winston Churchill as "one of the heaviest blows I can recall during the war", Rommel's Panzerarmee Afrika captured Tobruk on 21 June 1942. Allied forces were overrun and 25,000 British and Commonwealth troops were taken prisoner by the Germans.

The Republic of Egypt is Declared � 18 June 1953

2009-06-18T00:10:40Z

During the pre-revolution period before 1952 there were three main political groups in Egypt: Wafd, a nationalist organization which opposed British influence; King Faruk I, installed by the British, and the British who wished to maintain control of the Suez Canal. Meanwhile the Muslim Brotherhood was growing in power in the background.

Anti-British feeling grew after World War II, and British troops were withdrawn to cover just the Suez Canal in '47. In July 1952 the 'Free Officers', a revolutionary group lead by Lt. Col. Gamal Abdel Nasser, organized a coup against King Faruk whom they blamed for Egypt's poor economic and military performance. Instead they installed King Fuad II as head of state, advised by a Council of Regency the Revolutionary Command Council. In September that year General Muhammad Naguib became prime minister.

On 19 June 1953 the Free Officers abrogated the existing constitution (created in 1923) and declared Egypt a republic. The monarchy was abolished and Muhammad Naguib became president.

A Few Words About the June 16th Soweto Student Uprising ...

2009-06-15T12:07:56Z

"The children have shown us all the inevitable consequences if this government continues to display the insane arrogance and power satiated pride which is rapidly bringing us to disaster."

Sheena Duncan, patron of the Black Sash, speaking to the SA Council of Churches on 17 June 1976.

"Having endured a baptism of fire, they will return [to school] as seasoned revolutionaries."

Caroline Clark, South African journalist, reporting on 20 June 1976.

"... it took many of the white people of South Africa thirty years to acknowledge their truth, when black school children in the great black city of Soweto on 16 June 1976, on the day after which, of all the hundred thousand days of our written history, nothing would be the same again."

Alan Paton, South African novelist, from Towards the Mountain, published by Scribners, 1980.

12 June 1964 � Nelson Mandela Sentenced to Life Imprisonment

2009-06-12T00:10:17Z

On 11 July 1963 a raid was undertaken on Lilieslief farm in Rivonia, near Johannesburg, which was being used by the MK as headquarters. The remaining leadership of the MK was arrested. Nelson Mandela was included at trial with those arrested at Lilieslief and charged with over 200 counts of "sabotage, preparing for guerrilla warfare in SA, and for preparing an armed invasion of SA".

On 12 June 1964 the court handed down life sentences to Nelson Mandela and seven of his co-accused: Dennis Goldberg, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, Kames Kantor, Andrew Mlangeni, Elias Motsoaledi, and Raymond Mhlaba.