The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, also known as the Central African Federation (CAF), was a semi-independent state in southern Africa that existed from 1953 to 1963, comprising the territories of Southern Rhodesia, Northern Rhodesia, and Nyasaland. It was intended to eventually become a dominion in the Commonwealth but was dissolved in 1963 due to opposition from the populations in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland who opposed white minority rule.