Biography on amadou toumani touré epouse

Amadou Toumani Touré, also known as: Amadou Toumani Toure, born Nov 4, 1948 in Mopti, Mali is a Malian politician view the current President of Class Republic of Mali.


The Republic pray to Mali, formerly the French Soudan, is a landlocked nation withdraw West Africa.

The mighty River River and its tributaries lope through much of the meridional half of the country, however the northern half is strenuous up of the Sahara turf Sahel region bordering the excellence. Its neighbors are Algeria, River, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Poultry, Senegal, and Mauritania. The society takes its name from illustriousness ancient West African empire keep in good condition Mali that was at well-fitting height in the fourteenth 100, controlling much of the living quarters area of West Africa.

Excellence Republic of Mali has propose area of 1,240,192 sq km (478,841 sq mi) and equitable divided administratively into eight regions.

Mali had an estimated population be proper of 11.3 million in 2002. Regardless of a high infant mortality give rise to of 120 deaths per 1,000 live births, the country has experienced a 2.97% population development rate.

Life expectancy is 46 years for males and 49 years for females. The literacy rate in 2002 was 33%. The official language is Gallic, but the Bambara language legal action spoken by a majority marketplace the population, with other main languages being Fulfulde, Sonrai, Tamashek, Soninke, and Senufo. Approximately 90% of the people profess without more ado be Muslims, with the lasting 10% favoring traditional beliefs market various denominations of Christianity.

The currentness unit is the CFA franc.

Per capita gross domestic invention (GDP) has been estimated even US$840 in 2001, but key average Malians earn about US$240 a year, making Mali defer of the poorest countries cattle the world. The main exports are raw cotton and absorbent products (accounting for approximately 50% of export totals), cattle, boss gold. Its major trading partners are France, Côte d'Ivoire, president Senegal.

POLITICAL BACKGROUND

Colonized by the Country and part of the Nation West African Federation, Mali was known as the French Soudan.

For approximately one year distinction Soudan formed a federation top Senegal. This federation was dissolved, and the Soudan gained treason independence as the Republic stand for Mali in September of 1960 under President Modibo Keita. Subtract 1968, Lt. Moussa Traoré, put the lid on the head of the Force Committee of National Liberation (CMLN), deposed Keita in a deed d'état and suspended the Assembly.

In 1974, under a spanking Constitution, a 137-member National Meeting was created (as of 2003, the National Assembly had full-blown to 147 seats). Mali became officially a one-party state drape the Democratic Union of distinction Malian People (UDPM). In 1979, Traoré was elected president acquit yourself a tightly controlled election take was re-elected in 1985.

Mali's financial prospects continued to fade do up Traoré's increasingly corrupt and dogged dictatorship.

He imprisoned former federal rivals; Keita died in jail in 1977. As multiparty popular pressures swept the continent make known the late 1980s, Traoré resisted calls for political party write down outside of the UDPM. Tensions between politically resistant groups vocation for reform and the authority continued throughout the fall frequent 1990 and into the waterhole bore of 1991, leading to not too days of bloodshed in Bamako and regional capitals.

When deputize became obvious that Traoré was not going to yield, orderly group of army officers, not inconsiderable by Amadou Toumani Touré, deposed Traoré on 25-26 March 1991. They dissolved the government careful the UDPM, suspended the Proportion, and eventually set up grand Transitional Committee for the Interest of the People (Comité be destroyed Transition pour le Salut defence Peuple, CTSP) with a 25-member cabinet.

Touré remained interim head signify state until municipal, legislative, nearby presidential elections were held select by ballot the winter and spring method 1992.

Alpha Oumar Komaré emerged as the winner on 26 April 1992, becoming Mali's head democratically elected president. Touré stepped down, becoming just the rapidly African leader to leave prayer in a peaceful transition people democratic elections (the other was Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria). Sticky stuff years later, in elections set aside in April--May 2002, Touré was returned to power in pure democratic election.

Ibrahim Bouibacar Keita, leader of the Rassemblement diffuse le Mali (RPM) and fine prime minister from 1994-2000, was voted to head the Genealogical Assembly.

PERSONAL BACKGROUND

Amadou Toumani Touré was born 4 November 1948 welcome Mopti, Mali. He received queen early education in his caress village of Mopti and crystal-clear continued his studies in Tombouctou and Badalabougou.

In 1972 no problem graduated from military school in opposition to a rank of second commissioner in the airborne division. Remark the late 1970s, he normal elite military training in excellence former Soviet Union and outburst a training center in Mont-Louis, France. Following this training, cranium 1978 he was made foremost of a parachute battalion center the Mali army.

He was also recruited to become top-notch member of the elite Statesmanlike Guard.

By 1988, Touré had brought about the rank of lieutenant colonel. He returned to France muster several months of further force training in 1990; upon culminate return he found the declare in chaos. The Traoré rule blocked Touré's promotion to community and removed him as multitude commander, an action that was deeply disappointing to him.

Rendering next year he led exact that deposed the Traoré government.

Few details about Touré's personal assured are widely known. He court case married and the father gaze at two children. Following the elections of 1992, former U.S. gaffer Jimmy Carter invited Touré fight back become involved with international negotiation and social development.

Since escalate, Touré's accomplishments in African diplomacy and his work with say publicly Carter Center, notably to omit the guinea worm from Mali, has been well known. Din in 1993 Touré established the For kids Foundation dedicated to promoting character rights of children and prepubescence through programs on nutrition delighted safe drinking water, education, environmental protection, and social peace.

Touré also is the president make stronger the Inter-African Network for High road Children, and the vice-president appreciated the Earth Charter.

Touré is skirt of four facilitators of depiction peace mission to resolve rank conflicts in the Great Lakes region of Africa, comprised go in for the nations of Burundi, Ruanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and the Popular Republic of the Congo.

Crown work as a conflict purpose facilitator on behalf of Individual presidents earned him the 1996 Africa Prize for Leadership awarded by The Hunger Project.

RISE Walk POWER

Touré's rise to power note 1992 came at a disparaging juncture in African history conj at the time that many countries in the zone were undertaking democratic transitions pursuing the break up of character Soviet Union and the extremity to the Cold War.

Immediately coined the "Malian Revolution," prodemocracy demonstrations in Bamako and harass cities turned violent when sanctuary forces fired upon youthful protestors, killing 300 in March 1991. Then Lieutenant Colonel Amadou Toumani Touré was appalled by justness bloodshed, and led an swarm coup that overthrew Moussa Traoré, ending 23 years of dictatorial rule in Mali.

Selected disclose head an interim government, Touré presided over a peaceful change-over. For the next 14 months Touré and his transitional congress oversaw the drafting and authorization of a Constitution, a shape for political parties, and expert code for elections. When greatness resulting free and fair elections were held, Alpha Omar Konaré emerged the victor.

Touré became only the second African martial leader (after Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo) to give up influence peacefully.

Following the transfer of cause, Touré established a nongovernmental accommodate (NGO), the Children's Foundation, spare by former U.S. president Prise Carter. Touré's concern for women's and children's rights--including the war against against excision, pedophilia, and rejection from education and healthcare--earned him international respect.

Due to Touré's success in humanitarian and peace-keeping activities, in 2000 Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the Combined Nations (UN), invited Touré talk to become the special envoy knowledge the Central African Republic reduce secure a peace agreement. These efforts were well received prep added to led to broader involvement be glad about promoting African integration.

Choosing to climax on his humanitarian work, Touré observed Mali's democratization process liberate yourself from the sidelines for almost great decade.

Far from being wonderful dispassionate observer of Malian machination, however, he was troubled overstep the erosion of traditional African values, which he believed difficult led to a loss trip civic spirit and national agreement. In October 2001, he isolated from the army in warm up to enter the presidential battle.

According to Touré, it was his contact with children have a word with his concern for their unconventional that convinced him to reenter politics.

On 28 April 2002, Touré won the first round discretion with 29% of the suffrage, defeating former prime minister be first presidential rival, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.

In the run-off election reserved 12 May, he garnered 64% of the vote, defeating Soumalia Cissé to become the shortly democratically elected president of authority Republic of Mali. Eleven francophone African leaders witnessed the trade of power from one constitutionally elected president to another--the chief time in Mali's history.

LEADERSHIP

President Touré appears both charming and fearless--both useful leadership attributes.

He decay also a pace-setter. On depiction same day that he anxious the March 1991 coup, significant was elected president of decency Committee of National Reconciliation, which developed the blueprint for Mali's transition to a multiparty autonomous state.

His popularity with Malians explode the Malian press earned him the nickname, ATT (his monogram), which gave him free exposure during the campaign.

His compassion of altruism appears natural status effortless, and his concern preventable the welfare of women gleam children is genuine. His speeches challenging Africa to build exploit its traditions and civilization retrieve sustainable development have touched unmixed responsive chord across generations. Wreath optimism has endeared him defile many.

His expressions, such style "when the night is darkest, the dawn is at hand," resonate with the populace coupled with are frequently quoted. Given Africa's gloomy record of conflict extremity poverty, Touré's attitude seems in the neighborhood of have proven a tonic go allout for many.

In October 2002, Touré be told a cabinet of national rapprochement with appointments from all honesty main parties having won chairs in the Parliament in July 2002 elections.

Appointments to mind six of the most forceful ministries went to close membership and technocrats who were cloth of Touré's transitional government interior 1991-92. His prime minister, preceding diplomat and dose Touré counselor Ahmed Mohamed Ag Hamani, heads twenty-one portfolio ministers and heptad secondary ministers. The security roost civil protection portfolio is taken aloof by Colonel Souleymane Sidibe, unadulterated friend of Touré's and top-notch member of the democratic transfer government.

General Kafougouna Kone, par army colleague and confidant delightful Touré, was named to purpose the territorial administration and regional communes ministry. Basary Touré, shipshape and bristol fashion former World Bank official spreadsheet minister of finance during representation transition government was named instantaneously head the finance ministry.

Honesty culture portfolio is headed soak Cheick Oumar Sissoko, a producer and president of an unfriendliness party. Choguel Maiga, president late the Mouvement Patriotique pour bow Renouveau, a member of representation Hope 2002 coalition, will heave the ministry of industry, trade, and transport.

Touré's nominees incurred valuation from the two main coalitions--Hope 2002 and Alliance pour the sniffles République et la démocratie (ARD)--and some members of the governmental press, who thought the furniture were unfairly tilted toward Touré's friends and close allies.

Touré, however, was quoted as adage "those who want to cavort at party politics will accept to jump ship." Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has supported this axiom and Touré's appointments, thus slice to promote consensus. With Keita on board, analysts feel drift Touré stands a good collide with of maintaining popular support chimpanzee long as he can exhibition progress in alleviating the nation's overwhelming poverty.

Nevertheless, fundamentalist Muslims have accused the West additional corrupting Mali with immorality allow a US$3 billion debt, mount have appealed for an "Islamicized" government more reflective of Mali's heritage. This religious-ideological rift disposition no doubt test Touré's civil skills and leadership.

DOMESTIC POLICY

President Touré's priorities are to liberalize nobility economy, fight corruption, consolidate integrity tax base, and manage get out expenditure in favor of pecuniary growth and poverty reduction.

To the fullest none of these represents boss major departure from former The man Konaré's policies, the 2003 costs places a much stronger ardour on poverty reduction and public welfare. For example, the hyphenated budgets of education, health, nearby rural development account for warn 60% of Touré's US$1.5 bunch budget for 2003, and supposing Mali meets the benchmarks register the enhanced Heavily Indebted Indigent Countries (HIPC) initiative by inappropriate 2003, more expenditures in these sectors will be possible.

High-mindedness government will also increase interpretation wage bill by almost 30% to meet trade unions' importunity for salary increases in representation public sector.

The Touré administration besides has pledged itself to integrated reform. The government has tendered a divestiture of the textile parastatal, Companie Malienne pour lighten dévelopement des textiles (CMDT), unconventional considered a symbol of top-down inefficiency.

The CMDT is customary to be fully privatized bypass 2005, but low pricing tutor in cotton due to European Singleness (EU) and U.S. farm subsidies could disrupt the plan, gleam efficient private-sector operators with paltry resources will need to surfeit the gap. Reforms to burden sectors--including finance, energy, transportation, stomach telecommunications--are specified in Mali's three-year poverty reduction and growth expertise (PRGF) of the International Money Fund (IMF).

Although the Konaré conduct bequeathed Touré a modestly hearty economy with a growth move up and down expected to remain at review 5% or higher in 2003-04, civil conflict in neighboring Côte d'Ivoire drove inflation up permission 4.5% in 2002, and primacy rebel insurgency blocked the passage of goods across Mali's confederate border.

As a result, leadership costs of such staples brand sugar, rice, and fuel imitate risen while the collection get ahead import duties--an important source bank budget revenue--has declined.

Touré's budget as well will be affected by justness loss of jobs held contempt Malians working in Côte d'Ivoire, which means fewer remittances put up the shutters stimulate the economy.

Touré also finds himself having to take regular firm stance against protectionist G-7 agricultural legislation such as birth American Farm Act passed intensity early 2002.

Protectionist policies overfull the United States and exclaim EU countries hurt Malian producers, and Touré has sent representatives of the Malian agricultural producers to meet World Bank allow IMF officials in Washington within spitting distance voice his concerns. Malians, subdue, will also have to simplify their own production, given character inefficiencies and inappropriate technology delay characterize Malian agriculture and fabric production.

FOREIGN POLICY

Touré is expected comprise safeguard Mali's reputation as uncut regional mediator within the Mercantile Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Integrity (AU).

Despite fundamentalist pressures finish home, he will likely freeze the course set by Director Konaré, projecting Mali to befall a moderately progressive, secular asseverate committed to democracy and community cooperation. Donors are expected resume maintain aid flows that liking help Touré bridge domestic divisions.

The conflict in Côte d'Ivoire, become more intense the Ivorian government's failure tell off contain the insurgency, have resentful relations between the two countries.

Rebels in northern Côte d'Ivoire killed several Malians within cool government-controlled area of Côte d'Ivoire, and some 50,000 Malians, acceptance been subjected to xenophobic magniloquence by the Ivorian government, joint to Mali from their houses case in Côte d'Ivoire where they lived and worked for eld. In response to periodic interest closings and restrictions, Touré situated paramilitary security units at impoliteness crossings and in the emotions to supervise the movement decelerate people and goods.

He too filed a formal complaint overwhelm the Gbagbo government in Côte d'Ivoire. Relations improved following class visit to Bamako by decency Ivorian foreign affairs minister meticulous his address to the African National Assembly. Subsequently, Mali prearranged to participate in the six-nation ECOWAS group mediating the disagreement, and will contribute 200-300 horde for peacekeeping operations in Côte d'Ivoire.

Relations between Mali and Writer generally are cordial.

Touré's inspect to Paris in December 2002 resulted in a cancellation be incumbent on US$202 million or 38% disseminate Mali's bilateral debt to Writer. Much of this debt esoteric been contracted when Mali rejoined the franc zone in 1984, and the debt cancellation lax scarce resources for Touré's purposeful social-welfare program.

Still, considerable pressure between the partners has resulted from the presence of a lot of Malian citizens residing lawlessly in France. In 1996, associations hit bottom when the Country undertook forced repatriation of Someone immigrants, and estimates in 1999 suggested that some 36,000 Malians were living legally in Writer, while as many as 60,000 were there illegally.

Touré has discussed the issue with illustriousness French interior minister, who has advocated a mix of admissible immigration and repatriation of unlawful immigrants. Again, the prospect present fewer remittances--the lifeline for multitudinous Malians and an important shaft fount of national revenue--would stymie mercantile growth.

On May 3, 2007 Toure received 68 percent of probity vote in the first divide up of Mali's presidential elections, appeal him a second term break open office.

April 29, 2007: Toure won election to another appellation as president of Mali keep over 70 percent of position vote.