Political history of Eastern Africa

This is the political history of the states of Eastern Africa.

Ancient and Medieval history

• c. 800 BC: Foundation of the Kingdom of D`mt in northern Ethiopia and Eritrea (capital: Yeha)
• c. 250: Foundation of the Kingdom of Aksum, in northern Ethiopia and Eritrea (capital: Axum)
• c. 950: Possible conquest of Axum by Gudit, continued by the Zagwe Dynasty
• c. 11th century - 13th century - founding of numerous Sultanates in Ethiopia (Muslim in the east, Pagan and Muslim in the west), including Adal, Bale, Damot, Dawaro, Fetegar, Hadiya, Ifat, Mora, Shewa (see also Shewa), and Wag.
• c. 1137: A later possible date for the rise of the Zagwe and fall of Aksum.
• 1203: Foundation of the Sultanate of Pate, in Kenya, splitting from the Kingdom of Kilwa Kisiwani.
• c. 1250: Foundation of the Kingdom of Welayta, in Ethiopia. Ruled by the Tegra'i dynasty from the 17th century.
• 1270: Solomonic dynasty comes to prominence in Ethiopia, displacing the Zagwe dynasty rulers.
• c. 1300: Foundation of the Kingdom of Ambohidratima, in Madagascar.
• c. 1390: Foundation of the Kingdom of Kaffa in Ethiopia.

Islam expansion and european explorations

• 15th century: Foundation of the Karemera dynasty in Burundi, replaced by the Baganwa dynasty before the end of the 17th century.
• 1420: First mention of the Kingdom of Karanga, in Mozambique.
• c. 1450: Foundation of the Kingdom of Innarya, in Ethiopia.
• 1485: Foundation of the Sultanate of Angoshe, in Mozambique.
• 1494: First mention of the Kingdom of Manyika, in Mozambique, under the Nguruve dynasty, replaced by the Tembo-Shumba dynasty in 1695.
• 1 March 1498: Portugal claims Mozambique.
• c. 1500: Foundation of the Sultanate of Ndzuwani (Anjouan), in the Comoros. Foundation of the Sultanate of Maore, in Mayotte.
• 10 August 1500: Portugal discovers Madagascar.
• 1501: Portugal establishes the Captaincy of Sofala in Mozambique, a dependency of Goa, then settles at Mozambique Island in 1507, Sena in 1531 and Quelimane in 1534.
• 1502: Foundation of the Sultanate of Mombasa, in Kenya.
• 1503: Portugal discovers Comoros and Mayotte.
• 1505: Portugal discovers Mauritius, named Ilho de Cerne, then Mascarene Islands in 1513.
• 8 September 1507: The Captaincy of Sofala becomes the Captaincy of Sofala and Moçambique.
• 1527: Beginning of invasion of Solomonic Ethiopia by Ahmad ibn Ibrihim al-Ghazi of Adal.
• 1528: Portugal discovers Ilha Rodriguez, in Mauritius.
• 1530's: Foundation of the Kingdom of Yengar, in Ethiopia, under the Mowa dynasty.
• 1557: Massawa taken from Ethiopia by the Ottoman Empire (today in Eritrea)
• 1560: Foundation of the Kingdom of Sheka, in Ethiopia.
• 1567: Foundation of the Kingdom of Bosha, in Ethiopia.
• 1567: Fall of Adal and split into Kingdom of Harar, Awsa Sultanate.
• 1569: The Captaincy of Sofala and Moçambique becomes the Captaincy-general of Moçambique and separate from Goa.
• c. 1590: Foundation of the Kingdom of Imamo, in Madagascar.
• 1593: Portugal occupies Mombasa.
• 20 September 1598: Netherlands claim Mascarene Islands.
• 17th century: Foundation of the Kingdom of Wanga, in Kenya. Foundation of the kingdoms of Bara and Mananddriana, in Madagascar. Foundation of thew Kingdom of Malawi, it will ceases to exist at the end of the 19th century under British rule.
• 1609: The Captaincy-general of Moçambique becomes the colony of Moçambique, Sofala, Ríos de Cuama and Monomatapa, a dependency of Goa.
• 1615: Foundation of the Kingdom of Konta, in Ethiopia.
• 1625: Ilha Rodriguez is claimed by France under the name Rodrigues, settlements established from 1735.
• 1638: Portugal establishes a colony in Mombasa, a dependency of Goa.
• 7 May 1638: Mascarene Islands become a Dutch colony under the name Mauritius, controlled by the United East India Company. It will be abandoned 17 February 1710.
• 24 September 1642: Foundation of the French colony of Fort-Dauphin, in Madagascar. It will be abandoned 27 August 1674 and a vain effort to found it again will take place from 1768 to 1771.
• 1646: The Kingdom of Harar becomes an Emirate.
• c. 1675: First mention of the Kingdom of Ambohimanga, in Madagascar, under the Imerina dynasty.
• c. 1680: Foundation of the Kingdom of Burundi.
• c. 1685: Foundation of the Kingdom of Menabe, in Madagascar, under the Volamena dynasty.
• c. 1690: Foundation of the Kingdom of Boina, in Madagascar.
• 12 December 1698: Mombasa is ceded to the Sultanate of Oman, but is occupied again by the Portugueses from 12 March 1728 to 21 Seotember 1729.
• 18th century: Foundation of the kingdoms of Andrindrano, Fisakana, Isandra and Lalangina, in Madagascar.
• c. 1700: The Kingdom of Kafa becomes an Empire.
• c. 1710: Foundation of the Kingdom of Tananarive, in Madagascar.
• 1712: Foundation of the Kingdom of Betsimisaraka, in Madagascar.
• 6 September 1718: Mauritius is claimed by France under the name Île de France, controlled by the Compagnie des Indes from 23 September 1721.
• March 1721: Netherlands settles at Fort Lijdzaamheid, in Mozambique, a dependency of Cape. The settlement will be abandoned 27 December 1730.
• 1734: Mudaito dynasty comes to rule the Awsa Sultanate in Ethiopia.
• 4 June 1735: Île de France is part of the colony of Mascarene Islands, until 23 March 1746.
• c. 1740: First mention of the Kingdom of Antakarana, in Madagascar.
• 1746: The Sultanate of Mombasa, in Kenya, proclaims independence from Oman.
• 1750: First mention of the Sheikhdom of Kitangonya, in Mozambique.
• 26 July 1750: Betsimisaraka cedes Sainte-Marie de Madagascar to France.
• 1752: The colony of Moçambique, Sofala, Ríos de Cuama and Monomatapa becomes the colony of Moçambique, Zambesi and Sofala.
• 1753: Foundation of the Sheikhdom of Sankul, in Mozambique.
• c. 1760: Foundation of the Kingdom of Walo, in Ethiopia, under the Mamadoch dynasty.
• 14 July 1767: Île de France becomes a crown colony.
• 11 February 1774: Foundation of the Kingdom of Antogil, in Madagascar, by an Hungarian adventurer.
• 23 May 1786: Antogil is annexed to France.
• c. 1790: Foundation of the Sultanate of Kaka Jima, in Ethiopia, known as Jimma from 1830.
• 1794: Tananarive is annexed to Ambohimanga.
• c. 1795: Foundation of the Kingdom of Nkamanga, in Malawi.
• 1797: Ambohidratima is annexed to Ambohimanga.
• 25 October 1797: Île de France becomes a département, until 19 April 1801.
• 19th century: Andrindrano, Bara, Fisakana, Imamo and Mananddriana are annexed to Madagascar. Foundation of the Kingdom of Maseko, in Malawi.
• c. 1800: 'Enarya is known as Limu-'Enarya. Foundation of the kingdoms of Gera, Goma and Guma, in Ethiopia.

European colonization

• 3 February 1803: Île de France is part of the colony of French East India, until 2 September 1810.
• 4 August 1809: The United Kingdom occupies Rodrigues.
• 1810: Isandra and Lalangina are annexed to Ambohimanga.
• 3 December 1810: Île de France is ceded to the United Kingdom, and becomes the colony of Mauritius. This possession is confirmed 20 May 1814 by the Treaty of Paris
• December 1813: Eritrea is occupied by Egypt until 1826.
• 30 May 1814: Rodrigues is annexed by the United Kingdom as a dependency of Mauritius.
• 1815: Foundation of the Kingdom of Jere, in Malawi.
• 23 October 1817: The Kingdom of Ambohimanga becomes the Kingdom of Madagascar. Betsimisaraka becomes later its vassal.
• 15 October 1818: Sainte-Marie de Madagascar is a dependence of Bourbon Islande, then of Mayotte from 2 March 1843.
• 20 March 1822: Foundation of the Kingdom of Tanibe.
• 9 February 1824: The United Kingdom establishes a protectorate over Mombasa.
• 1825: Foundation of the Kingdom of AmaGaza, in Mozambique.
• 25 July 1826: Oman puts an end to the secession of Mombasa.
• 1828: Betsimisaraka and Tanibe are annexed to Madagascar.
• 1830: The Sultanate of Mohéli splits from Ndzuwani, created by migrants from Madagascar.
• 1832: Boina is occupied by Madagascar.
• 1833: Maore is annexed by Mohéli.
• 1834: Menabe is annexed to Madagascar.
• 19 November 1835: Maore is annexed from Mohéli by Anjouan.
• 1836: Maore proclaims independence from Anjouan.
• March 1836: The colony of Moçambique, Zambesi and Sofala is now known as Moçambique, also called Portuguese East Africa.
• 24 June 1837: Mombasa is annexed to Zanzibar.
• 1839: The Kingdom of Shewa proclaims independence from Ethiopia.
• 1840's: Foundation of the Kingdom of Nandi, in Kenya.
• 1840: Boina is annexed to Madagascar.
• 14 July 1840: Foundation of the French colony of Nossi-Bé, in Madagascar, a dependence of Bourbon Island, then of Mayotte from 25 March 1843.
• 25 March 1841: France establishes a protectorate over Maore under the name Mayotte as a dependency of Île Bourbon, officially from 13 June 1843, and abolishes the monarchy.
• 1843: Antakarana is under a French protectorate until 1891.
• 1853: Sainte-Marie de Madagascar becomes a separate colony until 27 October 1876 when it becomes a dependency of Réunion, then of Diégo Suarez 4 May 1888.
• 1858: France settles in Obock, in Djibouti. Foundation of the Sultanate of Witu, in Kenya.
• 1865: Eritrea is under Egyptian administration.
• 1866: Anjouan is annexed to Mayotte.
• 1870's: Foundation of the Kingdom of Masai, in Kenya, after the union of the clans.
• 1870: Pate is annexed to Witu.
• 11 October 1875: Harar is occupied by Egypt until 1884.
• 1878: Nossi-Bé becomes a separate colony.
• 1879: Asmara, in Eritrea, is part of Ethiopia until 1890.
• 1880's: The Kingdom of Leqa Qellam is annexed to Shewa. Gera is annexed to Ethiopia.
• 1882: The Kingdom of Leqa Naqamte is annexed to Shewa.
• 5 July 1882: Assab, in Eritrea, is conquered by Italy.
• 1883: Bosha is annexed to Ethiopia.

Era of colonies and protectorates

• 24 June 1884: Foundation of the French Protectorate of Obock, recognized by the United Kingdom 8 February 1888.
• August 1884: Burundi becomes a German protectorate.
• 27 May 1885: The Kingdom of Witu, in Kenya is under a German protectorate under the name of Wituland, not recognized by the United Kingdom.
• 1886: Grande Comore, in the Comoros, is united under the sultan of Bambao. Goma is annexed to Ethiopia. Diégo Suarez, in Madagascer, becomes a French colony.
• 21 April 1886: Anjouan becomes a French protectorate.
• 26 April 1886: Mohéli becomes a French protectorate.
• 24 June 1886: Grande Comore becomes a French protectorate.
• 26 January 1887: Harar is annexed to Shewa.
• 25 May 1887: The Sultanate of Zanzibar cedes Mombasa to the British East Africa Association.
• 5 September 1887: Anjouan, Grande Comore and Mohéli are united under the name Protectorate of the Comoros.
• 1888: Masai, Nandi and Wanga are annexed to the territory of the British East Africa Association, but the monarchies remains.
• 3 September 1888: The territory of the becomes the colony of East Africa, under the Imperial British East Africa Company.
• 9 December 1888: Foundation of the Italian Protectorate of Assab.
• 1889: The kingdoms of Dauro, Konta and Shewa are annexed to Ethiopia.
• 2 May 1889: The Treaty of Uccialli established the Abissinian Italian Protectorate over Ethiopia.
• 21 September 1889: The United Kingdom declares a protectorate over Jere, Malawi, Maseko and Nkamanga, under the name Shiré River.
• 1890's: The Kingdom of Amarro is annexed to Ethiopia.
• 1 January 1890: The Protectorate of Assab becomes the colony of Eritrea.
• 18 June 1890: The United Kingdom declares a protectorate over Witu, Germany renounces his claims 1 July 1890.
• 1 July 1890: Burundi is part of the German East Africa. The burundian king is forced to recognize German authority 24 May 1903.
• 1891: Limu-'Enarya is annexed to Ethiopia.
• 15 May 1891: Shiré River is now known as Nyasaland Districts.
• 1892: The German Empire sends expeditions to Rwanda.
• 6 January 1892: The sultanates of Bajini, Hamahame, Hamamvu, Hambu, Itsandra, La Dombe, Mbaku, Mbude, Mitsamihuli and Washili, in Grande Comore, are supressed by France. The Sultanate of Grande Comore is supressed 19 September 1893.
• 23 February 1893: Nyasaland Districts is now known as British Central Africa, under the administration of the British South Africa Company.
• 1894: Yengar is annexed to Ethiopia.
• November 1894: Walayta is annexed to Ethiopia.
• 1895: Antakarana is annexed to Madagascar.
• 1 July 1895: The British colony of East Africa is expanded from territories of Zanzibar and becomes the British East Africa Protectorate.
• 1896: A German military station is established at Kajaga, in Burundi, rendering effective the control of the region. The German Empire creates the military district of Ujiji inside the German East Africa. The next year the station is relocated to Usumbura.
• 28 January 1896: Sainte-Marie de Madagascar is annexed to Madagascar.
• 30 March 1896: Mayotte is a dependency of Madagascar.
• 20 May 1896: The Protectorate of Obock becomes French Somaliland.
• 6 August 1896: Diégo Suarez and Nossi-Bé are annexed to Madagascar, whose statute is now a French protectorate.
• 26 October 1896: Italy cease to claim a protectorate over Ethiopia.
• 28 February 1897: Madagascar becomes a colony.
• 20 July 1897: Monarchy is abolished in AmaGaza, after attempts beginning from 28 December 1895.
• 10 September 1897: Kafa is annexed to Ethiopia.
• 1898: Sheka is annexed to Ethiopia.
• 1899: The military district of Usumbura, located in Burundi, is created within the German East Africa.
• 20th century: The monarchy is abolished in Kitangonya and Nkamanga.
• 1902: Guma is annexed to Ethiopia. The monarchy is abolished in Karanga.
• 1905: Monarchy is abolished in Nandi.
• 1906: Burundi becomes a military residency of the German Empire.
• 6 July 1907: British Central Africa is now known as Nyasaland.
• 15 November 1907: The military residency of Burundi is split between the civil residencies of Rwanda and Urundi.
• 9 April 1908: Comoros is a dependency of Madagascar.
• 1910: The monarch is abolished in Angoshe and Sankul.
• 25 July 1912: Comoros is annexed to Mayotte. In the same time the sultanates of Anjouan and Mohéli are abolished.

Colonies and mandates

• 23 February 1914: Comoros become a dependency of Madagascar.
• 19 May 1916: Belgium begins conquest of German East Africa.
• 18 September 1916: Belgium completed the conquest of German East Africa.
• 1918: Monarchy is abolished in Masai.
• 30 May 1919: Following the Orts-Milner Convention, Rwanda and Burundi remains under Belgian administration.
• 1920's: Awsa is annexed to Ethiopia, but the monarchy remains.
• 10 January 1920: The Kionga Triangle is ceded from Tanganyika to Moçambique.
• 23 July 1920: The British East Africa Protectorate becomes the Kenya Colony and Protectorate.
• 20 July 1922: Burundi and Rwanda are under a Belgian mandate from the League of Nations. The region is known as Ruanda-Urundi.
• 15 July 1924: Britain cedes Jubaland, part of Kenya, to Italy. It will be includes in the Italian Somalia.
• 1926: Monarchy is abolished in Wanga.
• 1 March 1926: Ruanda-Urundi is a dependency of the Belgian Congo.
• 1932: Kingdom of Jimma is annexed to Ethiopia.
• 15 June 1935: Foundation of the Italian East Africa from the union of Eritrea and Italian Somalia.
• 3 October 1935: Italian invasion of Ethiopia.
• 9 May 1936: Ethiopia is annexed to Italy.
• 1 June 1936: Ethiopia joins Italian East Africa, the colony is now divided in six provinces: Addis Ababa, Amhara, Eritrea, Galla-Sidama, Harar and Somalia.
• 1 January 1939: The province of Shewa is created in Italian East Africa from Addis Ababa and parts of Amhara and Galla-Sidama.
• March 1941: British occupation of Ogaden in Ethiopia until 23 September 1948.
• 5 May 1941: British occupation of Eritrea.
• 27 November 1941: Ethiopia is completely liberated by the Allies.
• 5 May 1942: British occupation of Madagascar, until 13 October 1946.
• 2 July 1942: British occupation of Mayotte, until 1946.
• 25 September 1942: British occupation of Comoros.
• December 1942: British occupation of French Somaliland.

Autonomy

• 13 October 1946: End of the British occupation of Comoros.
• 27 October 1946: Comoros, Madagascar and French Somaliland become overseas territories of France.
• 13 December 1946: Ruanda-Urundi is under a Belgian trust territory mandate from the United Nations.
• 19 February 1951: Eritrea is under a British trust territory mandate from the United Nations.
• 11 June 1951: Moçambique becomes an overseas province.
• 15 September 1952: Eritrea is part of Ethiopia as an autonomous State.
• 1 August 1953: Nyasaland is part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, until 31 December 1963.
• 1955: The Kingdom of Chako is annexed to Ethiopia.
• 14 October 1958: Madagascar gains autonomy from France under the name Malagasy Republic.
• 20 June 1960: Ruanda-Urundi is separated from the Belgian Congo.
• 26 June 1960: Madagascar proclaims independence from France.
• 21 December 1961: Burundi gains autonomy from Belgium.
• 22 December 1961: Comoros gains autonomy from France under the name State of Comoros.

Independence

• 1 July 1962: Burundi proclaims independence from Belgium under the name of Kingdom of Burundi.
• 14 November 1962: Autonomy of Eritrea is revoked by Ethiopia.
• 9 May 1963: Nyasaland gains autonomy from the United Kingdom.
• 1 June 1963: Kenya gains autonomy from the United Kingdom.
• 12 December 1963: Kenya proclaims independence from the United Kingdom.
• 6 July 1964: Nyasaland proclaims independence from the United Kingdom, under the name Malawi.
• 12 December 1964: The monarchy is abolished in Kenya and it is known as the Republic of Kenya.
• 6 July 1966: The monarchy is abolished in Malawi and it is known as the Republic of Malawi.
• 28 November 1966: The Kingdom of Burundi becomes the Republic of Burundi.
• 5 July 1967: French Somaliland becomes the French Territory of Afars and Issas.
• 12 March 1968: Mauritius proclaims independence from the United Kingdom.
• 1 May 1972: The Republic of Martyazo is proclaimed by Hutu rebels in Burundi.
• 9 May 1972: Burundi puts an end to the secession of Martyazo.
• 12 September 1974: The Empire of Ethiopia is simply known as Ethiopia.
• 20 September 1974: Moçambique gains autonomy from Portugal.
• 21 March 1975: The monarchy is abolished in Ethiopia.
• 2 June 1975: The monarchy is abolished in Awsa.
• 25 June 1975: Moçambique proclaims independence from Portugal under the name People's Republic of Mozambique.
• 6 July 1975: Comoros proclaims independence from France, recognized 31 December 1975, while Mayotte remains a French territory following a 22 December 1974 referendum.
• 30 December 1975: The Malagasy Republic becomes the Democratic Republic of Madagascar.
• March 1976: A civil war begins in Mozambique.
• 24 December 1976: Mayotte becomes a collectivité territoriale
• 27 June 1977: The French Territory of Afars and Issas proclaims independence from France under the name Republic of Djibouti.
• 24 May 1978: The State of Comoros becomes the Federal and Islamic Republic of Comoros.
• 10 September 1987: Ethiopia becomes the People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
• 1 December 1990: The People's Republic of Mozamnbique is now known as Republic of Mozambique.
• 27 May 1991: The People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is simply known as Ethiopia.
• 12 March 1992: The monarchy is abolished in Mauritius and it is known as Republic of Mauritius.
• 12 September 1992: The Democratic Republic of Madagascar becomes the Republic of Madagascar.
• 9 October 1992: End of the civil war in Mozambique.
• 24 May 1993: Eritrea proclaims independence from Ethiopia.
• 22 August 1995: Ethiopia becomes the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Nine autonomous regions and two chartered cities were created: Afar Region, Amhara Region, Benishangul-Gumaz Region, Gambela Region, Harari Region, Oromia Region, Somali Region, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region, Tigray Region, Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa.
• 3 August 1997: Anjouan proclaims independence from Comoros, endorsed by a referendum 26 October 1997.
• 11 August 1997: Mohéli proclaims independence from Comoros.
• 1998: Comoros put an end to the secession of Mohéli.
• 11 July 2001: Mayotte becomes a collectivité départementale.
• 23 December 2001: The Federal and Islamic Republic of Comoros becomes the Union of Comoros, following a constitutional referendum.
• 10 March 2002: Anjouan puts an end to the secession and becomes, with Mohéli, autonomous parts of Comoros.
• 7 April 2002: Grande Comore becomes an autonomous part of Comoros.
• 30 April 2002: The province of Antsiranana proclaims independence from Madagascar under the name Confederation of Madagascar.
• 1 May 2002: The province of Toamasina proclaims independence from Madagascar.
• 2 May 2002: The province of Toliara proclaims independence from Madagascar.
• 3 May 2002: The province of Mahajanga proclaims independence from Madagascar.
• 13 June 2002: Madagascar puts an end to the secession of Mahajanga.
• 14 June 2002: Madagascar puts an end to the secession of Toliara.
• 1 July 2002: Madagascar puts an end to the secession of the Confederation of Madagascar.
• 5 July 2002: Madagascar puts an end to the secession of Toamasina.
• 12 October 2002: Rodrigues becomes an autonomous part of Mauritius.

Local histories to be add: Réunion, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

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