#kingdom of ruanda

In yet another example of colonialism gone awry, the Kingdoms of Ruanda and Burundi were stitched together as the co-territory of Ruanda-Urundi, claimed as part of German East Africa, passed on to the Belgians after the Great War, administered by the United Nations post-WWII, and finally gaining independence in 1962 as the Kingdom of Burundi and the Republic of Rwanda.  As perhaps you recall, this artificial federation did little to coalesce the distinct cultures and history of the two, and things were very bad in that tiny region of Sub-Saharan Africa for many years.

Stamp details:
Stamp on top:
Issued on: August 25, 1931
From: Usumbura, Ruanda-Urundi
MC #44

Stamps on bottom:
Issued on: December 18, 1961
From: Usumbura, Ruanda-Urundi
MC #183-185

Recognized as a sovereign state by the UN: No
Claimed by: Republic of Burundi; Republic of Rwanda
Member of the Universal Postal Union: No