The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, also known as the Central African Federation, was a political entity that existed from 1953 until its dissolution on December 31, 1963. It encompassed the British settler-dominated colony of Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and the territories of Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) and Nyasaland (now Malawi), all of which were under the control of the British Colonial Office. The formation of the federation was driven by various economic, political, and social factors. In the 1920s, white European settlers in Rhodesia had advocated for some form of amalgamation to counter the numerical dominance of the black African population. However, this proposal was met with resistance from the British Colonial Office, which was mindful of the strong opposition from the African population.
Following World War II, the growth of secondary industries and a significant influx of white immigrants in Southern Rhodesia, coupled with a copper boom in Northern Rhodesia, prompted white political leaders and industrialists to intensify their calls for a unified territory. They argued that such a federation would provide larger markets and greater access to black labor, particularly from Nyasaland. The British government eventually lent its support to the idea of federation, influenced by economic considerations, the nationalist victory in South Africa in 1948, and the aspiration to create a multiracial state based on “partnership” as a counter to South Africa’s apartheid policies. However, the prospect of a federation was met with consistent opposition from the black populations in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland, who feared that Southern Rhodesia would dominate the union. Throughout the 1950s, policies within the federation were perceived to primarily benefit the white population in the South.
Tensions came to a head in 1959 when the burgeoning nationalist movement in Nyasaland sparked widespread disturbances. A state of emergency was declared, leading to the detention of many nationalists without trial. These events prompted the British government to recognize the need for power to be transferred to the black majority. The attainment of independence by Malawi on July 6, 1964, and Zambia on October 24, 1964, marked the effective end of the federation. In Southern Rhodesia, the dissolution of the federation led to the white community’s illegal unilateral declaration of independence as the Republic of Rhodesia in November 1965. Ultimately, black majority rule was established with the founding of independent Zimbabwe in 1980.
The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland stands as a complex chapter in the history of Central Africa, characterized by competing interests, racial tensions, and ultimately, the struggle for self-determination and independence. Its legacy continues to shape the socio-political landscape of the region and serves as a reminder of the challenges inherent in forging multiracial unions within diverse colonial contexts.