One unique feature of the ‘Brazzaville Group’ was that it favored

Analyze the question

The question asks what made the Brazzaville Group distinctive among the African political groupings of the early 1960s.

Explain the concept

The Brazzaville Group was formed in December 1960 by former French colonies in Africa, including Senegal, Ivory Coast, Dahomey, Mauritania, Chad, Gabon, Cameroon and Madagascar. It later developed into the Union Africaine et Malgache (UAM).

In the debate over African unity, the main blocs were:

• Casablanca Group (Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Egypt, Morocco): radical, favored quick political union of Africa and was anti-colonial.
• Monrovia Group (Nigeria, Liberia, and others): moderate, favored gradual cooperation and respect for each state's sovereignty.
• Brazzaville Group: moderate, French-speaking, and kept close political, economic and cultural ties with France, the former colonial power.

Solution

• A. Close links with the ex-colonial power. This fits. The group's defining feature was its continued close relationship with France.
• B. Continuation of the colonial system of administration. This is too extreme. They were independent states, even though they stayed close to France.
• C. Greater unity among African states. This was the Casablanca Group's position, not a unique feature of Brazzaville.
• D. Africa states. This option is incomplete and meaningless as written.
• E. Separate regional groupings. This is not the group's defining characteristic.

Tip: Link each group to its stance:

• Casablanca = radical, quick union
• Monrovia = moderate, gradual cooperation
• Brazzaville = French-speaking, close to France

When you see "Brazzaville" in a question, think "France."