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Modibo Keita
Mali becomes independent with Modibo Keita as president. It becomes a one-party, socialist state and withdraws from the Franc zone. -
Period: to
The Mali Conflict
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Dissension
Nomadic Tuareg peoples in the north of Mali, dissatisfied with their position in the new state and wanting a state of their own, revolt in the First Tuareg Rebellion. The Malian government's army is much better-equipped than the rebels, and after defeating them, force Tuareg areas under military administration. This stokes resentment in these regions, and causes many Tuareg to flee to neighbouring countries. -
Drought
Mali suffers from a major drought, which devastates many Tuareg areas in the north. -
Overthrown
A coup led by a young army lieutenant named Moussa Traore overthrows Mobido Keita's regime. Traore forbids opposition political parties, and presides over the development of a police state. -
Tuareg Rebbellion
The Second Tuareg Rebellion begins in June 1990, as separatists in the north demand their own Tuareg state. Malian President Alpha Konare grants greater autonomy to the Tuareg-heavy Kidal region, causing the conflict to die down somewhat, but hostilities continue for several years more. -
Traore Regime
Dissatisfaction with poor economic conditions and the Traore regime's corruption help spur a pro-democracy protest movement. Following a government crackdown, in which dozens are killed or injured by government forces, a military coup removes Traore from office in the so-called "March Revolution". The coup leader, lieutenant colonel Amadou Toumani Toure, leads Mali before stepping down when elections are held in 1992. -
Peace Agreement
Peace agreement with Tuareg tribes leads to return of thousands of refugees. -
Debt Bail
France says it will cancel 40% of debts owed to it by Mali, amounting to some 80m euros ($79m, £51m). -
Unjust Resignment
Government resigns, without public explanation. New "government of national unity" is unveiled. -
Brutality Begins
Clashes between rival Muslim groups in west kill at least 10 people. -
Replacement
Prime Minister Mohamed Ag Amani resigns and is replaced by Ousmane Issoufi Maiga. -
Catalyst
Suspected Tuareg rebels abduct government soldiers in separate incidents near the Niger and Algerian borders. -
Another Tuareg Rebellion
Toure wins 71 per cent of votes to guarantee a second five-year term as president. A Tuareg rebellion breaks out in Niger and Mali, concentrated in Niger's northern Agadez region and Mali's northeastern Kidal Region. -
Murder amongst the army
Tuareg rebels kill 17 soldiers in attack on an army post in the northeast, despite a ceasefire agreed a month earlier. -
Havoc with the rebels
At least 20 people are killed and several taken hostage in an attack by Tuareg rebels on a military base in northern Mali. -
Taking Control
Government says the army has taken control of all the bases of the most active Tuareg rebel group. A week later, 700 rebels surrender their weapons in ceremony marking their return to the peace process. -
Reignition
After the end of the uprising in Libya, large numbers of Tuareg, who had fought for Muammar Gaddafi in the Libyan civil war, return to their home country, many heavily armed. The Tuareg rebellion is reignited in northern Mali, with the aim of establishing an independent Tuareg state called Azawad. -
Proceeding Refugees
Fears of new Tuareg rebellion following attacks on northern towns which prompt civilians to flee into Mauritania. -
Suspections
Military officers depose President Toure ahead of the April presidential elections, accusing him of failing to deal effectively with the Tuareg rebellion. African Union suspends Mali. -
Declarative Action
Tuareg rebels seize control of northern Mali, declare independence. Military hands over to a civilian interim government, led by President Dioncounda Traore. -
Religious and physical dispute
Junta reasserts control after an alleged coup attempt by supporters of ousted President Toure in Bamako.
Pro-junta protesters storm presidential compound and beat Mr Traore unconscious.
The Tuareg MNLA and Islamist Ansar Dine rebel groups merge and declare northern Mali to be an Islamic state. Ansar Dine begins to impose Islamic law in Timbuktu. Al-Qaeda in North Africa endorses the deal. -
Religious Offenders
Ansar Dine and its Al-Qaeda ally turn on the MNLA and capture the main northern cities of Timbuktu, Kidal and Gao. They begin to destroy many Muslim shrines that offend their puritan views. -
Lessening the Military Dictatorship
Prime Minister Cheick Modibo Diarra forms a new government of national unity in order to satisfy regional demands for a transition from military-dominated rule. The cabinet of 31 ministers includes five seen as close to coup leader Capt Amadou Sanogo. -
Another Mysterious Resignment
Prime Minister Cheick Modibo Diarra resigns, allegedly under pressure from army leaders who oppose plans for Ecowas military intervention. President Traore appoints a presidential official, Django Sissoko, to succeed him. The UN and US threaten sanctions. -
The French Intervene; Rescue
Islamist fighters capture the central town of Konna and plan to march on the capital. President Traore asks France for help. French troops rapidly capture Gao and Timbuktu and at the end of the month enter Kidal, the last major rebel-held town. European countries pledge to help retrain the Malian army.
