History of Mali in Timeline

Mali, officially the Republic of Mali, is a landlocked country in West Africa. It's the eighth-largest country in Africa and the 23rd largest worldwide, covering an area of over 1,240,192 square kilometers.

1905: French Control Established

By 1905, most of the area of Mali was under firm French control as a part of French Sudan.

November 1915: Anti-French Uprising Begins

In November 1915, a large anti-French uprising broke out among the tribes in the regions of present-day Mali and Burkina Faso.

September 1916: Uprising Suppressed

In September 1916, the last resistance of the anti-French uprising was suppressed. During the suppression, over 100 villages were destroyed by French colonial troops.

1957: Forced Labour Convention Made Illegal

The Forced Labour Convention made forced labour illegal in 1957.

November 1958: French Sudan Becomes Autonomous Republic

On 24 November 1958, French Sudan (which changed its name to the Sudanese Republic) became an autonomous republic within the French Community.

January 1959: Mali and Senegal Unite

In January 1959, Mali and Senegal united to become the Mali Federation.

June 1960: Mali Federation Gains Independence

On 20 June 1960, the Mali Federation gained independence from France.

August 1960: Senegal Withdraws from Federation

In August 1960, Senegal withdrew from the Mali Federation.

September 1960: Socialist Plan Announced

On 22 September 1960, after Modibo Keïta became the President of the Republic of Mali, the Malian government announced a socialist plan for development.

September 1960: Republic of Mali Established

On 22 September 1960, the Sudanese Republic became the independent Republic of Mali, and that date is now the country's Independence Day.

1960: Independence Achieved, Republic Established

In 1960, Mali achieved independence after a brief federation with Senegal as the Sudanese Republic. Following Senegal's withdrawal, the Republic of Mali was established.

1960: Mali Population

In 1960, the population of Mali was reported to be about 4.1 million.

1960: Civil Service Programme Introduced

Soon after independence in 1960, the government under Keïta introduced a national civil service programme, service civique rural.

July 1962: Creation of the Bank of the Republic of Mali

In July 1962, Keïta announced The Bank of the Republic of Mali (La Banque de la République de Mali) which was responsible for minting its own currency, the Malian franc.

September 1962: Educational Reform Law Passed

On 17 September 1962, the government passed the Educational Reform Law which introduced 9 years of mandatory education across Mali.

1962: ILO Report Deems National Service Scheme Unlawful

A 1962 report from The International Labour Organization (ILO) deemed the national service scheme in Mali unlawful.

1962: Arrests and Imprisonment of Protestors

Following the establishment of Mali's own currency in 1962, protestors opposing the government and the new monetary policies were arrested and sent to prison.

1963: Secondary Education Increase

In 1962-1963, the number of people in secondary education had increased from 434 students.

1964: Political Opposition Arrested

In 1964, Mamadou Faïnké, who tried to create a political opposition party, was arrested and sentenced to life in prison.

1964: Education Increase

In 1964, two years after the Education Reform Law was passed, the number of school-age Malians in education had more than tripled.

1966: Secondary Education Increase

By 1966-1967 the number of people in secondary education had increased to 1,325 students.

December 1967: Agreement Between Mali and France

On 19 December 1967, Keïta announced an agreement between Mali and France that would later lead to Mali's re-entry into the UMOA in 1984.

1967: Secondary Education Increase

By 1966-1967 the number of people in secondary education had increased to 1,325 students.

November 1968: Military Coup Overthrows Keïta Regime

On 19 November 1968, the Keïta regime was overthrown in a bloodless military coup led by Moussa Traoré.

1968: Devastating Drought Begins

In 1968, a devastating drought began in Mali, lasting until 1974.

1974: Drought Ends

The devastating drought that began in 1968 ended in 1974, but not before causing famine that killed thousands.

1984: Mali's re-entry into the UMOA

In December 1967, Keïta announced an agreement between Mali and France that would later lead to Mali's re-entry into the UMOA (West African Monetary Union / Union monétaire ouest-africaine) in 1984.

1990: Emergence of Opposition Movements

In 1990, cohesive opposition movements began to emerge in Mali.

January 1991: Student Protests Suppressed

In January 1991, peaceful student protests were brutally suppressed in Mali, with mass arrests and torture of leaders and participants.

March 1991: Mass Pro-Democracy Rallies and Nationwide Strike

From 22 March through 26 March 1991, mass pro-democracy rallies and a nationwide strike were held in Mali, known as les évenements or the March Revolution, during which soldiers opened fire on nonviolent demonstrators.

1991: Coup Leads to Democratic Transition

In 1991, a coup in Mali led to a new constitution and the establishment of the country as a democratic, multi-party state.

1991: Amadou Toumani Touré Arrests Moussa Traoré

On 26 March 1991, Lieutenant Colonel Amadou Toumani Touré announced that he had arrested the dictatorial president, Moussa Traoré.

January 2012: Armed Conflict in Northern Mali

In January 2012, an armed conflict began in northern Mali, with Tuareg rebels seizing control of territory.

March 2012: Military Coup Complicates Conflict

In March 2012, a military coup complicated the armed conflict in northern Mali.

January 2013: French Military Launches Operation Serval

In January 2013, in response to territorial gains by rebels, the French military launched Operation Serval in Mali.

July 2013: Presidential Elections Held

Presidential elections were held in Mali on 28 July 2013, with a second-round run-off held on 11 August.

December 2013: Legislative Elections Concluded

Legislative elections were held in Mali on 24 November and 15 December 2013.

2020: Coup Overthrows Government

In 2020, a coup led by Colonel Assimi Goïta overthrew the government of Mali.

2021: Second Coup

In 2021, a second coup led by Colonel Assimi Goïta overthrew the Mali government.

2024: Population demographics of Mali

In 2024, Mali's population is estimated to be about 23.29 million, with 47.19% estimated to be under the age of 15.

May 2025: Political Parties Dissolved

In May 2025, the junta in Mali dissolved all political parties.

July 2025: Goïta Granted Five-Year Presidential Term

In July 2025, the transitional parliament granted Colonel Assimi Goïta a five-year presidential term, renewable without elections.

September 2025: JNIM Imposes Fuel Blockade

In September 2025, the al-Qaeda affiliate JNIM imposed a blockade on fuel imports to major cities in southern Mali, including the capital Bamako, causing economic disruption.