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Established in 1910 , the federation contained four territories — Gabon , Middle Congo (now the Republic Of The Congo ), Oubangui-Chari (or Ubangi-Shari , now the Central African Republic ) and Chad , although the last was not organised as a separate entity until 1920 . The governor-general was based in Brazzaville with deputies in each territory. During World War II the federation rallied to the Free French Forces (August 1940 ) and became the centre for their activities in Africa. Under France's Fourth Republic ( 1946 - 1958 ), the federation was represented in the French parliament. When the territories voted in the September 1958 referendum to become autonomous within the French Community , the federation was dissolved. In 1959 the new republics formed an interim association called the Union Of Central African Republics , before becoming fully independent in August 1960 . POSTAGE STAMPS The Postal Administration s of the four territories were separate until 1936 , each issuing its own stamps. In that year, stamps of Gabon and Middle Congo were overprinted AFRIQUE / ÉQUATORIALE / FRANÇAISE. A Definitive Series for the colony followed in 1937 , featuring local scenes and key (French) figures in the formation of the colony, with various color and value changes each year through 1940. The 1937 series was overprinted AFRIQUE FRANÇAISE / LIBRE or just '''LIBRE''' in 1940 by the Free French, and in 1941 they issued a series depicting a Phoenix rising from the flames. A new definitive series, featuring local scenery and people, was issued in 1946 , and another twenty-odd stamps came out during the 1950s , with the last being the omnibus Human Rights Issue on 10 December 1958 . SEE ALSO |
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