It was a federation of eight French colonial territories in Africa: Mauritania, Senegal, French Sudan (now Mali), French Guinea, Ivory Coast, Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso), Dahomey (now Benin) and Niger. The capital of the federation was Dakar. (jan 14, 1895 – nov 21, 1900)
Description:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_West_AfricaAdded to timeline:
Date:
jan 14, 1895
nov 21, 1900
~ 5 years and 10 months