République du Mali

Note: Prime Minister Ousmane Issoufi Maiga resigned on September 27, 2007, and the following day President Amadou Toumani Touré named Modibo Sidibe, a close ally of the president and theretofore general secretary of the cabinet office, to the premiership. Upon Sidibe’s recommendation, the president announced an extensive cabinet reshuffle on October 3.

Political Status: Independent republic proclaimed September 22, 1960; military regime established November 19, 1968; civilian rule reestablished under constitution approved in 1974 and promulgated June 19, 1979; 1974 constitution suspended on March 26, 1991, and replaced by interim Fundamental Act on March 31; multiparty constitution drafted by National Conference in July–August 1991, approved by popular referendum on January 12, and formally proclaimed on February 14, 1992.

Area: 478,764 sq. mi. (1,240,000 ...