In January 1959 , Senegal and the French Sudan became one to form the Mali Federation , which became fully independent on June 20 , 1960 , as a result of the independence and transfer of power agreement signed with France on April 4 , 1960 . In January 1959 Senegal and the French Sudan merged to form the Mali Federation , which became fully independent on 20 June 1960 , as a result of the independence and the transfer of power agreement signed with France on 4 April 1960 .