Mali: Post-war government named following successful presidential elections

Army officers angry at what they considered a lack of support to combat the separatist Tuareg movement in Mali’s vast desert north overthrew the democratically elected government of president Amadou Toumani Toure on March 22, 2012.

In the ensuing chaos, the al-Qaeda-linked groups seized control of an area larger than France.

They imposed a brutal interpretation of Islamic law on the local population, carrying out amputations and executions, prompting worldwide condemnation.

Early this year, the Islamists were pushed out as a result of external military intervention.

The country’s return to democracy has allowed for some of the external military forces, though a contingent of African Union peace keepers will remain.

Source: AFP

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