Background
Amadou Toumani Touré was born on November 4, 1948 in Mopti in central Mali (the colony of France at that time).
Amadou Toumani Touré was born on November 4, 1948 in Mopti in central Mali (the colony of France at that time).
In 1958, the territory of the Mali Republic became an autonomous called the Sudanese Republic within the French Community. Two years later, it was declared an independent state - the Republic of Mali.
Amadou Toumani Toure said: "Our Islam has ancient roots, it is tolerant and free from prejudice. We see nothing in our religion that would prevent us from being democratic. "
Having received secondary education in the capital Bamako, Amadou Toure worked for a short time as a teacher, but he was more attracted by a military career. In 1969, he entered the Kati Inter-Military College, and then to continue his education he was sent in the USSR, in the Ryazan Airborne School, and then in Ryazan Institute of Airborne. From 1978 to 1990, Toure upgraded his professional skills in three military academies in France.
Toure returned to Mali from democratic France, he organized a military coup during that the dictator Moussa Traore who ruled for 23 years was overthrown. The reason for the uprising was shooting by government forces peaceful demonstrations.
On May 26, 1991 General Touré was declared the interim head of state. His goal was to prepare the parliamentary and presidential elections, which would lead the country to a new form of democratic civilian rule.
There were fears that Toure followed the other African countries example that staged coups, and will try to hold power, but the general was smart enough not to do so. The Constitution of Mali was adopted that was approved in a referendum. It strengthened the existence of multi-party system by law. The presidential elections were held in June 1992. The general hadn’t participated in them, he handed over power to a democratically elected president, Alpha Oumar Konare.
Mali is a presidential republic. The head of the country is elected for a five-years term and may be re-elected for a second term. Legislative power is exercised by the National Assembly (unicameral parliament). The National Assembly includes 147 members who are elected for 5 years too.
For eight years, the name Toure actually did not appear in policy. He was better known as a social activist. He was engaged in charity (in particular, he has created a popular in the country "Childhood Foundation"). Toure had repeatedly said that he would never return to politics. However, a year before the next elections a movement supporting his candidacy was organized. And on May 12, 2002, in alliance with a coalition of 27 parties Toure became President of Mali, gaining 65 percent of the vote.
General Toure is still very popular, the Malians did not forget that it was he whosaved them from the power of the dictator. This brilliant orator and an experienced military man in the country and outside has a reputation of humane and peaceful man. In Mali, where the standard of living is low and infant mortality rate is high, thanks to the efforts of the President who develops health system that becomes accessible to a wider sectors of society. He has done a lot to reduce unemployment and increase employment, the network of secondary schools is growing. But solving social problems, President Toure does not forget about democratic reforms, believing that they can influence the future of the people.