History of Mali

Mali Empire, 1235–1670 Draft, not yet reviewed

The Mali Empire was an empire in West Africa. It was founded by Sundiata Keita and became renowned for the wealth of its monarchs, especially Mansa Musa. At its peak, Mali was the largest empire in West Africa, widely influencing the culture of the region through the spread of its language, laws, and customs. After that, the empire rapidly disintegrated, being replaced by independent chiefdoms.

Seat of power: Kangaba

Songhai Empire, 1464–1591 Draft, not yet reviewed

The Songhai Empire was a state located in the western part of the Sahel during the 15th and 16th centuries. Sonni Ali established Gao as the empire's capital, although a Songhai state had existed in and around Gao since the 11th century. Initially, the Songhai Empire was ruled by the Sonni dynasty, but it was later replaced by the Askia dynasty. The Songhai Empire collapsed after the defeat at the Battle of Tondibi in 1591.

Seat of power: Gao

French Sudan, 1880–1959 Draft, not yet reviewed

French Sudan was a French colonial territory in the Federation of French West Africa from around 1880 until 1959, when it joined the Mali Federation, and then in 1960, when it became the independent state of Mali. The colony was initially established largely as a military project led by French troops, but in the mid-1890s it came under civilian administration. Following World War II, the African Democratic Rally (RDA) under Modibo Keïta became the most significant political force pushing for independence. In 1960, the French Sudan formally became the Republic of Mali and began to distance itself further from Senegal and France.

Seat of power: Bamako

Mali Federation, 1959–1960 Draft, not yet reviewed

The Mali Federation was a federation in West Africa that linked the French colonies of Senegal and the Sudanese Republic for two months in 1960. It was founded on 4 April 1959 as a territory with self-rule within the French Community, and became independent after negotiations with France on 20 June 1960. On 19 August 1960, Sudanese Republic leaders in the federation tried to take control by mobilizing the army, and Senegalese leaders in the federation retaliated by mobilizing the gendarmerie, and Senegal withdrew from the federation the next day.

Seat of power: Dakar

Mali, 1960 to today Draft, not yet reviewed

Mali, officially the Republic of Mali, is a landlocked country in West Africa. After Senegal's withdrawal, the Republic of Mali was established. After a long period of one-party rule, a coup in 1991 led to a new constitution and the establishment of Mali as a democratic, multi-party state. In January 2012, an armed conflict broke out in northern Mali, in which Tuareg rebels took control of territory in the north, and in April declared the secession of a new state, Azawad.

Seat of power: Bamako

Rulers

• Modibo Keïta, President of Mali, 1960–1968
• Moussa Traoré, President of Mali, 1968–1991
• Amadou Toumani Touré, President of Mali, 1991–1992
• Alpha Oumar Konaré, President of Mali, 1992–2002
• Amadou Toumani Touré, President of Mali, 2002–2012
• Dioncounda Traoré, President of Mali, 2012–2013
• Amadou Sanogo, President of Mali, 2012–2012
• Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, President of Mali, 2013–2020
• Bah Ndaw, President of Mali, 2020–2021
• Assimi Goïta, President of Mali, 2021 to today