Mali
Republic of MaliRepublique de Mali
republicIndependence 22 September 1960 (from France)
Mali as the 1996 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 85 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Geography
Western Africa, southwest of Algeria
15 fieldsInternational disputes
- the disputed international boundary between Burkina Faso and Mali was submitted to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in October 1983 and the ICJ issued its final ruling in December 1986, which both sides agreed to accept;
- Burkina Faso and Mali are proceeding with boundary demarcation, including the tripoint with Niger
Climate
- subtropical to arid;
- hot and dry February to June;
- rainy, humid, and mild June to November;
- cool and dry November to February
Terrain
mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in south, rugged hills in northeast
- lowest point:
- Senegal River 23 m
- highest point:
- Hombori Tondo 1,155 m
Natural resources
gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are known but not exploited
Environment
- current issues:
- deforestation;
- soil erosion;
- desertification;
- inadequate supplies of potable water;
- poaching
- natural hazards:
- hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry seasons; recurring droughts
- international agreements:
- party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands;
- signed, but not ratified - Nuclear Test Ban
People
15 fieldsPer 1,000 population(1996 est.)
Male · female(1996 est.)
Age structure
- 0-14 years:
- 48% (male 2,310,294; female 2,308,941)
- 15-64 years:
- 49% (male 2,231,244; female 2,488,276)
- 65 years and over:
- 3% (male 149,370; female 165,136) (July 1996 est.)
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.03 male(s)/female
- under 15 years:
- 1 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years:
- 0.9 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 0.9 male(s)/female
- all ages:
- 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Government
Republic; President Alpha Oumar KONARE (since 8 June 1992) was elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; Prime Minister Ibrahima Boubacar KEITA (since NA March 1994) was appointed by the president
21 fieldsLegislature, 116 seatsone dot, one seat
Name of country
- conventional long form:
- Republic of Mali
- conventional short form:
- Mali
- local long form:
- Republique de Mali
- local short form:
- Mali
- former:
- French Sudan
Administrative divisions
8 regions (regions, singular - region); Gao, Kayes, Kidal, Koulikoro, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, Tombouctou
Legal system
- based on French civil law system and customary law;
- judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court (which was formally established on 9 March 1994);
- has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- President Alpha Oumar KONARE (since 8 June 1992) was elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage;
- election last held NA April 1992 (next to be held NA April 1997);
- Alpha KONARE was elected in runoff race against Montaga TALL
- head of government:
- Prime Minister Ibrahima Boubacar KEITA (since NA March 1994) was appointed by the president
- cabinet:
- Council of Ministers was appointed by the prime minister
National Assembly
- elections last held 8 March 1992 (next to be held NA February 1997);
- results - percent of vote by party NA;
- seats - (116 total) Adema 76, CNID 9, US/RAD 8, Popular Movement for the Development of the Republic of West Africa 6, RDP 4, UDD 4, RDT 3, UFDP 3, PDP 2, UMDD 1
Political parties and leaders
- Alliance for Democracy (Adema), Ibrahim Baubacar KEITA;
- National Congress for Democratic Initiative (CNID), Mountaga TALL;
- Sudanese Union/African Democratic Rally (US/RDA), Mamadou Madeira KEITA;
- Popular Movement for the Development of the Republic of West Africa;
- Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP), Almamy SYLLA;
- Union for Democracy and Development (UDD), Moussa Balla COULIBALY;
- Rally for Democracy and Labor (RDT);
- Union of Democratic Forces for Progress (UFDP), Dembo DIALLO;
- Party for Democracy and Progress (PDP), Idrissa TRAORE;
- Malian Union for Democracy and Development (UMDD);
- Movement for the Independence, the Renaissance and Integration of Africa (MIRIA), Mohammed Lamine TRAORE
Other political or pressure groups
United Movement and Fronts of Azawad (MFUA); Patriotic Movement of the Ghanda Kaye (MPGK)
International organization participation
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNAMIR, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU, WADB, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Cheick Oumar DIARRAH
- chancery:
- 2130 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
- telephone:
- [1] (202) 332-2249, 939-8950
US diplomatic representation
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador David RAWSON
- embassy:
- Rue Rochester NY and Rue Mohamed V, Bamako
- mailing address:
- B. P. 34, Bamako
- telephone:
- [223] 22 54 70
Flag
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Economy
Mali is among the poorest countries in the | world, with 65% of its land area desert or semidesert.
20 fieldsInstalled generating capacity, 90,000 kW
Economic overview
Mali is among the poorest countries in the world, with 65% of its land area desert or semidesert. Economic activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger. About 10% of the population is nomadic and some 80% of the labor force is engaged in agriculture and fishing.
Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities. The economy is beginning to turn around after contracting through 1992-93, largely because of enhanced exports and import substitute production in the wake of the 50% devaluation of 12 January 1994. Post-devaluation inflation peaked at 35% in 1994, and the government appears to be keeping on track with its IMF structural adjustment program.
Industries
- minor local consumer goods production and food processing;
- construction;
- phosphate and gold mining
Exports
$415 million (f.o.b., 1993)
- commodities:
- cotton, livestock, gold
- partners:
- mostly franc zone and Western Europe
Imports
$842 million (f.o.b., 1993)
- commodities:
- machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, construction materials, petroleum, textiles
- partners:
- mostly franc zone and Western Europe
Exchange rates
CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 500.56 (January 1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991) note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948
Transportation
5 fieldsAirports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right · 24 in all
Networkskm
Communications
Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, Republican Guard, National | Guard, National Police (Surete Nationale)
9 fieldsTelephone system
domestic system poor but improving; provides only minimal service
- domestic:
- network consists of microwave radio relay, open wire, and radiotelephone communications stations; expansion of microwave radio relay in progress
- international:
- satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean)
Branches
Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, Republican Guard, National Guard, National Police (Surete Nationale)
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Mali.” The World Factbook 1996. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/mali/1996.