Learn About Mali

	The mud huts with thatched roofs in Bougoula, Mali, is typical for a Malian village. (Photo courtesy of Building with Books)

Mali is a large but thinly populated nation in West Africa. It was once one of the richest and most powerful of the ancient west African empires. In contrast, Mali today is one of Africa's poorest countries. Only about one quarter of its land can be used for farming. The rest is desert — part of the great Sahara desert — or semi-arid land suitable only for grazing livestock, such as cattle, goats, and sheep. A former French colony, Mali became an independent republic in 1960.

History and Government
Several ancient empires once thrived in what is now Mali. The Empire of Mali, which was established in the 1000's, lasted until the 1600s. Its greatest emperor was Mansa Musa (ruled 1312–37), who founded Timbuktu and made it a center of learning and culture. In 1591 the city was captured by invaders from the north, and it soon declined.

The French began to explore and conquer the region in the late 1800s. Then known as French Sudan (Soudan), it became a part of French West Africa. In 1959 it joined with Senegal to form the Mali Federation. The federation was dissolved in 1960 and the Republic of Mali came into being.

Mali's first president, Modibo Keita, established a socialist government. Economic difficulties and discontent with Keita's rule brought about his overthrow in 1968 by army officers led by Colonel Moussa Traoré, who formed a military government.

A new constitution was approved in 1974. It provided for a single political party, called the Union of the Malian People, under which Traoré was elected president in 1979 and re-elected in 1985.

Continuing economic problems and dissatisfaction with Traoré's dictatorial rule led to a rebellion in 1991 and to his ouster by the military. A new multiparty constitution was approved in 1992. Alpha Oumar Konaré, leader of the Alliance for Democracy in Mali, won huge majorities in the 1992 and 1997 presidential elections. Konaré introduced economic and political reforms and ended a rebellion by Tuareg nomads in the north.

Write about it:
Consider the fact that the once affluent empire of Mali is now one of Africa’s poorest countries. Using what you’ve learned about Mali, can you think of any reasons that might have caused this decline?

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CARE Mali
http://www.careusa.org/vft/mali/journal.asp
The non-profit organization CARE takes you on a five-day journey through Mali. Explore the regions, meet your guides, and get an insiders tour of Mali!