Rwanda's original national anthem, written when the country achieved independence from Belgium in 1962, was called "Rwanda Rwacu" ("Our Rwanda"). Independence was achieved at a time of high tension, following the Rwandan Revolution: centuries of rule by the minority Tutsi group had been overturned in just three years, the majority Hutu taking power in a violent upheaval, and forcing more than 100,000 to seek refuge in neighbouring countries. The subsequent thirty years, under the presidencies of Grégoire Kayibanda and Juvénal Habyarimana, were marked by continued cycles of violence, culminating in the 1990s with the launch of the Rwandan Civil War by exiled Tutsi led by Paul Kagame,^[6] the assassination of President Habyarimana, and the 1994 Rwandan genocide, in which between 500,000 and 1,000,000 Tutsi and politically moderate Hutu were killed by Hutu extremists, on the orders of the interim government, in the space of just 100 day.

"Independência total" is the national anthem of São Tomé and Príncipe. The anthem, adopted in 1975, was written by Alda Neves da Graça do Espírito Santo (1926–2010) and composed by Manuel dos Santos Barreto de Sousa e Almeida (born 1933).

The anthem is performed at national celebrations, official ceremonies, and sporting events, reinforcing its role in uniting the São Toméan people and celebrating their heritage. The anthem’s stirring lyrics and melody inspire a sense of unity and pride among the people of São Tomé and Príncipe.

Le Lion rouge" (Wolof: Gayndeg sibi xiiru na; English: "The Red Lion"), more commonly known by its incipit "Pincez tous vos koras, frappez les balafons" (Wolof: Yëngalleen kooraa yi, te jiin ndënd yi; English: "Everyone strum your koras, strike the balafons") is the national anthem of Senegal. It was adopted in 1960.

Senegal first gained independence in June of 1960 in a federation with Mali called the Mali Federation. The anthem of this federation, titled “Un Hymn du Mali” (A Song of Mali), used lyrics written by a prominent Senegalese politician, the music was written by a Malian, and thus was deemed to require replacing when the federation dissolved two months later, as Mali retained the music upon its independence from the federation. New music was written by a French composer who also composed the music for the Central African Republic and the lyrics of the federation’s anthem (whose author was now the country’s first president) were retained, with some slight changes.

"High We Exalt Thee, Realm of the Free" is the national anthem of Sierra Leone. Written by Clifford Nelson Fyle and composed by John Akar in a nationwide competition, it was adopted in 1961 when the country became independent from the United Kingdom, replacing "God Save The Queen". 

 The Constitution of Sierra Leone, 1991, makes it the responsibility of every citizen of Sierra Leone to "respect its ideals and its institutions", including the national anthem.

"Soomaaliyeey toosoo" ("Somalis, Wake Up") was the national anthem of Somalia from 2000 until August 2012. It was adopted by the Transitional National Government, replacing the unnamed former national anthem.

Though contested, the majority believe the lyrics of the earlier Somalia National Anthem were composed by Yusuf Haji Adam and Ali Mire Awale.

"Soomaaliyeey toosoo" is a well-known Somali song that dates from the early 1940s. It was first composed by Yusuf Haji Adam and Cali Mire Cawaale, sometime in the 1940s.

It was sung to mark independence day on July 1, 1960, and was regularly performed by children in the mornings at schools. "Soomaaliyeey toosoo" was officially adopted in July 2000 to mark the 40th anniversary of Somalian independence.

In August 2012, following the endorsement of Somalia's new Provisional Constitution, "Soomaaliyeey toosoo" was replaced as the national anthem by "Qolobaa Calankeed".

"Soomaaliyeey toosoo" ("Somalis, Wake Up") was the national anthem of Somalia from 2000 until August 2012. It was adopted by the Transitional National Government, replacing the unnamed former national anthem.

Though contested, the majority believe the lyrics of the earlier Somalia National Anthem were composed by Yusuf Haji Adam and Ali Mire Awale.

"Soomaaliyeey toosoo" is a well-known Somali song that dates from the early 1940s. It was first composed by Yusuf Haji Adam and Cali Mire Cawaale, sometime in the 1940s.

It was sung to mark independence day on July 1, 1960, and was regularly performed by children in the mornings at schools. "Soomaaliyeey toosoo" was officially adopted in July 2000 to mark the 40th anniversary of Somalian independence.

In August 2012, following the endorsement of Somalia's new Provisional Constitution, "Soomaaliyeey toosoo" was replaced as the national anthem by "Qolobaa Calankeed".