UN-OHRLLS :: Mali

Mali

Location: Interior Western Africa

Capital: Bamako

Population (2011):14,159,904

Surface area: 1,240,192 sq km

Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc

GDP per capita (2009): US $ 679

Historical background:

The Sudanese Republic and Senegal became independent of France in 1960 as the Mali Federation. When Senegal withdrew after only a few months, what formerly made up the Sudanese Republic was renamed Mali. Rule by dictatorship was brought to a close in 1991 by a military coup - led by the current president Amadou TOURE - enabling Mali's emergence as one of the strongest democracies on the continent. President Alpha KONARE won Mali's first democratic presidential election in 1992 and was reelected in 1997. In keeping with Mali's two-term constitutional limit, KONARE stepped down in 2002 and was succeeded by Amadou TOURE, who was subsequently elected to a second term in 2007. The elections were widely judged to be free and fair.

Economy – overview:

Among the 25 poorest countries in the world, Mali is a landlocked country highly dependent on gold mining and agricultural exports for revenue. The country's fiscal status fluctuates with gold and agricultural commodity prices and the harvest. Mali remains dependent on foreign aid. Economic activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger River and about 65% of its land area is desert or semidesert. About 10% of the population is nomadic and some 80% of the labor force is engaged in farming and fishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities. The government has continued an IMF-recommended structural adjustment program that has helped the economy grow, diversify, and attract foreign investment. Mali is developing its cotton and iron ore extraction industries to diversify its revenue sources because gold production has started to fall. Mali has invested in tourism but security issues are hurting the industry. Mali's adherence to economic reform and the 50% devaluation of the CFA franc in January 1994 have pushed up economic growth to a 5% average in 1996-2010. Worker remittances and external trade routes for the landlocked country have been jeopardized by continued unrest in neighboring Cote d'Ivoire. However, Mali is building a road network that will connect it to all adjacent countries and it has a railway line to Senegal. In 2010, Mali experienced a regional drought that hurt livestock and livelihoods.

Human Development Index ranking (2010): 160 out of 169

Net Official Development Assistance (ODA) (2009): US $ 988 million

Top Three Donors of gross ODA (2008-2009 average):

IDA, EU Institutions, France

Total External Debt (2010): US $ 3.024 billion

HIPC Position (2011): Completion Point achieved

United Nations Membership date: 28 September 1960

New York Mission:

Address: Permanent Mission of the Republic of Mali to the United Nations

111 East 69th Street, New York, N.Y. 10021

Telephone: (212) 737-4150, 794-1311

Telefax: (212) 472-3778