MALI CATHERINE VAN DER LIST KATRINA ABE Fact

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 § 19 th century - mid 20 th 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 1990 s, nomadic Tuareg began an insurgency over land cultural rights) § 2007 – Present: Tuareg rebel activity in Northern Mali threatens the state

Lt. Moussa Traore Modibo Keita Ibrahim Boubacar 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-frenchintervention/g 76 k • 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. de/mali-celebrates-inauguration-of-president-keita/a-17101175