French Dahomey French Dahomey French Dahomey was a French colony of and a part of French West Africa from 1904 to 1958. After World War II, by the establishment of the French Fourth Republic in 1947, Dahomey became part of the French Union with an increased autonomy. On 11 December 1958, the French Fifth Republic was established and the French Union became the French Community. The colony became the self-governing Republic of Dahomey within the Community, and two years later on 1 August 1960 it gained full independence (and in 1975 changed its name to Benin). During the 13th century, the indigenous
History of rail transport in the Central African Republic History of rail transport in the Central African Republic The history of rail transport in the Central African Republic is limited to a now closed short railway line, and two proposed railway projects that were not implemented. The only railway line ever to be built on the territory of the present-day Central African Republic ran from Zinga, Lobaye to Mongo. It was just long, and was in operation from 1930 until about 1960, when it was destroyed in the turmoil of the struggle for independence. Following Thomas Kautzor, operation ended in 1962, when the construction of a 2.50 m deep