What country in Africa was never colonized?

Hello, I'm a specialist in historical geography and international relations. I'm here to provide you with an accurate and comprehensive answer to your question. Africa has a complex history of colonization, with many countries experiencing some form of foreign control or influence. However, the question of which country in Africa was never colonized is a nuanced one. While it's often stated that Ethiopia and Liberia were never colonized, this isn't entirely accurate. Firstly, let's discuss Ethiopia. Ethiopia is often cited as one of the only countries in Africa that was never colonized by Europeans. This is partially true, as it was the only country to remain independent during the "Scramble for Africa" in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. However, Ethiopia did experience a brief period of colonization by Italy, known as the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, from 1936 to 1941. This period is often referred to as the "Italian Occupation". Despite this, the Ethiopian people resisted and managed to regain their independence in 1941, making it one of the few countries to successfully resist European colonization. Now, let's look at Liberia. Liberia was established in the early 19th century by the American Colonization Society as a settlement for free African-Americans. While it was not colonized by European powers, it was heavily influenced by the United States. Liberia declared independence in 1847, but it was not recognized by many countries until much later. It's important to note that Liberia was not colonized in the traditional sense, but it was not entirely free from foreign influence either. In conclusion, while Ethiopia and Liberia are often cited as examples of countries in Africa that were never colonized, this is not entirely accurate. Both countries experienced some form of foreign control or influence. It's also worth noting that many African countries experienced varying degrees of colonization, from direct control to more subtle forms of influence. However, if we consider the broader definition of colonization to include any form of foreign control or influence, then it's difficult to argue that any country in Africa was truly never colonized. Every country in Africa has a unique history and has experienced different forms of foreign involvement at various points in time. So, to answer your question, there isn't a single country in Africa that was never colonized or influenced by foreign powers in some way. Each country has its own unique history and experiences, and it's important to consider the broader context and nuances when discussing the history of colonization in Africa.

Other answers here have pointed out the examples of both Ethiopia and Liberia. In fact, both were colonized and there isn't a single country in Africa that didn't see some colonial efforts at some point in its history. Ethiopia was colonized only very briefly.