French Sudan partitioned into Middle Niger and Upper Senegal, 1899

Background. French Sudan was initially established as a military project led by French troops. However, in the mid-1890s, specifically 1893, the colony came under civilian administration. This civilian administration lasted until 1899, when the administrative structure changed. The colony had been formally called French Sudan from 1890 until 1899, reflecting its status as a distinct colonial territory within the Federation of French West Africa.

Administrative Change. On 10 October 1899, French Sudan was divided. The southern cercles were joined to coastal colonies, while the remaining territory was split into two administrative areas called Middle Niger and Upper Senegal. This division marked the end of the colony's formal name as French Sudan until 1921. The reorganization was part of a broader administrative restructuring that would later lead to the formation of Senegambia and Niger in 1902.

Legacy and Continuity. The 1899 partition was a temporary administrative phase. The territory was reestablished as a unified colony in 1902 under the name Senegambia and Niger. The borders shifted slightly, but there was little territorial change until 1933. The capital moved from Kayes to Bamako in 1908, which remained the capital. The 1899 division into Middle Niger and Upper Senegal was a specific administrative configuration that preceded these later consolidations.