Postage stamps and postal history of French Sudan Postage stamps and postal history of French Sudan French Sudan (Soudan Francais) was established in the late nineteenth century and occupied roughly the same territory as modern Mali. From 1894 to 1902, the colony of French Sudan used the general issues of the French colonies (Alpheus Dubois and Group types) with the name of the colony. In 1903, the group-type stamps were marked "SENEGAMBIA AND NIGER", the new name of the colony. In 1906, new stamps were issued marked "Upper Senegal and Niger", a state which came into existence in 1904, with varied illustrations including colonial personalities: General Louis Faidherbe
French Sudan The area was "Upper River" from 1880 until 18 August 1890, when it was renamed "French Sudan", with its capital at Kayes. On 10 October 1899, French Sudan was divided, with the southern cercles joining coastal colonies, and the rest split into two administrative areas called "Middle Niger" and "Upper Senegal". In 1902, the region again was organized as a unified colony under the name Senegambia and Niger ("Sénégambie et Niger"). The name changed again in 1904 to Upper Senegal and Niger ("Haut Sénégal et Niger"). Finally, in 1921, the name changed back to "French Sudan" ("Soudan Français"). Borders and