It was followed by a Stamp Day issue on March 21, 1959, which omitted the federation's name and was inscribed "CF" along with "Dakar-Abidjan" for use in Ivory Coast and Senegal. Independence French Sudan joined in a short-lived federation with Senegal in 1959, but ties to both countries quickly weakened. In 1960, French Sudan formally became the Republic of Mali. See also Postage stamps and postal history of Senegambia and Niger Postage stamps and postal history of Upper Senegal and Niger Postage stamps and postal history of Mali French colonial flags French Colonial Empire List of French possessions and colonies References and sources References Sources Stanley Gibbons catalogue External links Jean-Marc's AOF Stamp Catalog: web gallery and listing of AOF stamps. Communications in Senegal Communications in Niger Communications in Mauritania Communications in Ivory Coast Communications in Burkina Faso Postage stamps of France French Sudan Philately of Mali