MALI

CATHERINE VAN DER LIST KATRINA ABE

Fact Sheet• Population: 16.3 million people• Major languages: French*, Bambara, Berber,

Arabic • Major religion: Islam • Life Expectancy: 51 years (male); 53 years

(female) • Exports: Cotton, gold, livestock • GNI per capita: US $610

Historical Timeline

19th century - mid 20th century: French colonization

1960: Mali becomes independent; Modibo Keita is “big man”

1968-1991: Dictatorship of Lt. Moussa Traore = new “big man”

1990 – 2007: Relatively stable democracy and little social conflict (Early 1990s, nomadic Tuareg began an insurgency over land and cultural rights)

2007 – Present: Tuareg rebel activity in Northern Mali threatens the state

Ibrahim Boubacar Keita

Lt. Moussa Traore

Modibo Keita

Challenges to the State

• Institutional weakness & Corruption • Poverty• Internal Insurgencies • Weak Malian army – disorganized,

demoralized, and plagued by factionalism

• Transnational threats: terror groups, regional instability, drug trafficking

Current Events • 2007: Tuareg rebels increase activity • 2011: Libyan instability leads to influx of arms• 2012: Military coup topples government. Tuareg

take control of north and declare independence• Jan 2013: French forces begin military offensive

in Northern Mali (upon Malian request) • June 2013: Tuareg and Bamako government

reach peace deal • August 2013: Mali elects new president Ibrahim

Boubacar Keita (80% of the vote)• Sep 2013: Tuareg NMLA rebels violate peace

accord

Source: Agence France-Presse (AFP)

Bibliography: • BBC News . "BBC News - Mali country profile - Overview." BBC - Homepage.

N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Oct. 2013. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13881370

• Aljazeera. " Mali frees Tuareg rebel-linked prisoners - Africa - Al Jazeera English." Al Jazeera English - Live US, Europe, Middle East, Asia, Sports, Weather & Business News. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Oct. 2013. http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2013/10/mali-tuareg-prisoners-2013102232924835201.html

• Boukhars, Anouar. "Mali's Challenges Post-French Intervention ." Carnegie Endowment . N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Oct. 2013. http://carnegieendowment.org/2013/05/23/mali-s-challenges-post-french-intervention/g76k

• Deutsche Welle . "Mali celebrates inauguration of President Keita | News | DW.DE | 19.09.2013 ." TOP STORIES | DW.DE. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Oct. 2013. http://www.dw.de/mali-celebrates-inauguration-of-president-keita/a-17101175