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How did the 1958 French referendum affect Guinea and the other territories of French West Africa?

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Western Africa The countries of western Africa.

In September 1958, France held a referendum across its colonies regarding a new constitution for the Fifth Republic. This vote fundamentally altered the status of the territories within French West Africa.1

For the colonies, the referendum presented a binary choice:
* Voting in favor: Territories chose to remain associated with France as autonomous members of the newly created French Community, which managed foreign policy, defense, and economic matters.21
* Voting against: This was effectively a choice for immediate independence and the cessation of all French support.1

Guinea, under the influence of Sékou Touré, was the only territory to vote against the constitution, resulting in its immediate independence. The other members of French West Africa voted in favor, becoming autonomous within the French Community by the end of 1958. However, this arrangement was temporary; following further administrative transitions, these remaining territories all declared full independence in 1960.31