Malian President Moussa Traore is seen in a February 1984, file photo.The Associated Press
Mali’s former president Moussa Traoré, who ruled the West Africa country for more than 22 years, has died at the age of 83, according to his son Idrissa Traoré. He did not give details on the cause of death.
Mr. Traoré seized power in a military coup in 1968, eight years after Mali gained independence from France, and amid growing discontent with then-president Modibo Keita, the country’s first president.
Mr. Traoré and other officers set up the Military Committee for National Liberation, abolished the constitution and established a regime. Mr. Traoré ruled the country as its military leader until 1979 when he installed himself as civilian president of a one-party state. He was the sole presidential candidate in elections held in 1985. Mr. Traoré was eventually ousted in a coup in 1991 after days of violent protests killed at least 200 people following years of economic decline.
After the coup d’etat of March 26, 1991, Mr. Traoré was imprisoned and sentenced to death in 1993. Alpha Oumar Konaré, who was president from 1992 to 2002, commuted Mr. Traoré’s sentence to life imprisonment and finally pardoned him in 2002.
Mr. Traoré’s death comes nearly a month after military leaders in Mali staged a coup on Aug. 18, deposing president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who had three years left in his second term in office.
On Tuesday, the military junta currently ruling Mali met with a group of West African leaders in Ghana to outline a transition to civilian rule.
In the past five years, Mr. Traoré became a mediator within Mali. Most recently he was visited by Colonel Assimi Goita, who is heading the junta.