Monument of Independence,
Bamako downtown. |
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Mali,
a landlocked tropical country surrounded by Mauritania, Senegal, Guinea,
Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Niger and Algeria, was a French territory until
1958, when it became a republic within the French Community.
In 1959, representatives from Mali, Senegal, Benin, and Burkina Faso met
to draft a constitution founding the Federation of Mali. Upon completion,
only Mali and Senegal voted to join the Federation.
The Federation collapsed on August 20, 1960, when Senegal seceded.
On September 22, 1960, Mali proclaimed itself a republic and withdrew
from the French zone.
Read more about country background |
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