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What was the last sub-Saharan African country to gain independence?
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Thousands of South Sudanese wave the flag of their new country to celebrate South Sudan's independence from Sudan, Juba, July 9, 2011. Map of Sudan highlighting the southern region labeled as Southern Sudan, shown as a semiautonomous area prior to independence. The map displays major rivers, neighboring countries, and key cities such as Juba and Malakal, with an inset locating Sudan within Africa. Map highlighting Eritrea in northeastern Africa, showing its location along the Red Sea coast. Neighboring countries Ethiopia, Sudan, and Djibouti are labeled, as well as nearby regions including the Arabian Peninsula and the Gulf of Aden. The capital city, Asmara, is marked within Eritrea. Map of southern Africa highlighting Namibia in tan, with its capital Windhoek marked. Surrounding countries, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique, Eswatini, and Lesotho, are labeled in white. The Atlantic Ocean borders Namibia to the west. Map of southern Africa highlighting Zimbabwe in tan, with its capital Harare marked by a star. Surrounding countries including Zambia, Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania, Malawi, Eswatini, Lesotho, and Madagascar are labeled, along with the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. African Independence Dates Colonization of Africa: Maps, Timeline, Decolonization, & Independence
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Thousands of South Sudanese wave the flag of their new country to celebrate South Sudan's independence from Sudan, Juba, July 9, 2011.
Thousands of South Sudanese wave the flag of their new country to celebrate South Sudan's independence from Sudan, Juba, July 9, 2011.

What was the last sub-Saharan African country to gain independence?

Written by
Amy McKenna
Amy McKenna is a senior editor, primarily focused on geography and history matters pertaining to sub-Saharan Africa. She joined Encyclopaedia Britannica in 2004. She was previously employed by Standard...
Amy McKenna
Fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
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•History

The last sub-Saharan African country to become independent was South Sudan, which gained independence from its neighbor to the north, Sudan, in 2011. Prior to that, Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993, and Namibia became independent in 1990 after decades of South African rule that had begun with a mandate to the country via Great Britain. Because of the unique mandate situation (see below), Namibia is one of the sub-Saharan African countries considered the...

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