Khabenskaya E.O. Federation of Mali: The Factors of Consolidation and The Causes of Decay

Abstract: The subject of this research is the relations of Senegal with its eastern neighbour, the Republic of Mali, on the precipice of the establishment of Federation of Mali. The author focuses attention on the preconditions for the creation of the political entity named "Federation of Mali". Throughout the post-colonial period of history the relations between Senegal and ex-Sudan (now Mali) were not defined by acute crises and conflicts, as opposed to its contacts with Mauritania, Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. The main reason for this was low density of population of the eastern areas of Senegal (dry areas, not well-suited for agriculture) which resulted in the lack of close contact between the populations of the bordering countries, and the lack of border disputes. The principle of historism forms the basis of this article. The author employs the methods of comparative analysis and historical reconstruction to perform analysis and to draw conclusions. The economic relations between Senegal and Mali have always been intense. In the late 1950s, on the decline of the colonial era, Senegal and Mali (formerly - Republic of Sudan) experienced a short but rather unique period of being united into a federation. The Federation of Mali, which lasted one and a half years (and only 2 months as an independent power), was designed to bring to life the idea of pan-African unity. The collapse of the federation was possibly the only dramatic moment in the history of relations between the two countries. Federation of Mali did not meet expectations of its inspirers and ideologists of Senegal and Sudan, and turned out to be a short period of transition between colonialism and independence.  

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