Mali By Bethany2009 1898 Mali was renamed the French Sudan, after France gained control. 1959 The Mali Federation was formed by Mali and Senegal. 1960 Mali gains it's independence from France. 2002 40% of Mali's debt to France was cancelled. (It was around $80 million) 2005 Mali is warned of severe food shortages, by The World Food Program. 2012 Protesters demanded Constitutional change, therefore the Constitution was suspended. 2013 Mali gains $4 billion, to pay for rebuilding Mali. The money was given due to an international conference.