Africa and its current borders are even today a shifting geopolitical power (Republic of South Sudan, as you’ll recall, is one of the world’s youngest recognized sovereign states), and it gets even more complex when we look back through the historical borders - Afrique équatoriale française being a perfect example. Before French Equatorial Africa was formed in 1910, the French had dictated the existence of French Chad, French Cameroon, French Congo (also known as Middle Congo, or Moyen-Congo), and Ubangi-Shari. The AEF consisted of present-day Chad, the Central African Republic, Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, and Gabon, and lasted as a colonial entity until 1958 (becoming fully independent in 1960). The concept of a nation-state based on national borders instead of colonial convenience would be (and still is, in some places...) a long time coming.
Stamp details: Top right: Issued in: 1907 From: Brazzaville, Middle Congo MC #1
Top right: Issued in: 1933 From: Brazzaville, Middle Congo MC #90
Bottom left: Stamp on top: Issued in: 1937 From: Brazzaville, French Equatorial Africa MC #77
Bottom right: Stamp on top: Issued in: 1958 From: Brazzaville, French Equatorial Africa MC #312
Recognized as a sovereign state by the UN: No Claimed by: Republic of Chad, Central African Republic, Republic of Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Gabonese Republic Member of the Universal Postal Union: No
