The Sudanese Republic and Senegal became independent of France in 1960 as the Mali Federation. When Senegal withdrew after only a few months, the Sudanese Republic was renamed Mali. Rule by dictatorship was brought to a close in 1991 with a transitional government, and in 1992 when Mali's first democratic presidential election was held. After his reelection in 1997, President Alpha KONARE continued to push through political and economic reforms and to fight corruption. In keeping with Mali's two-term constitutional limit, he stepped down in 2002 and was succeeded by Amadou TOURE.

Location: Western Africa, southwest of Algeria

Capital: Bamako

Head of state: [Interim] President Dioncounda TRAORE (since 12 April 2012)
note: in the aftermath of the March 2012 coup, deposed President TOURE, in a brokered deal, resigned to facilitate the naming of an interim president and transition back toward democratic rule
Head of government: [Interim] Prime Minister Django CISSOKO (since 11 December 2012)

 Independence: 22 September 1960 (from France)

Population  15.968.882 ( July 2013 )

Population growth rate ( 2013 est ) : 3.01%

Ethnic groups: Mande 50% (Bambara, Malinke, Soninke), Peul 17%, Voltaic 12%, Songhai 6%, Tuareg and Moor 10%, other 5%

Languages: French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous African languages

Religions: Muslim 90%, indigenous beliefs 9%, Christian 1%

Currency: Franc