Amadou Sanogo is a Malian military officer best known for leading the coup d'état that ousted President Amadou Toumani Touré in March 2012. Born on May 20, 1972, in Ségou, Mali, Sanogo's rise to prominence was marked by his military background and the political instability in Mali during the early 2010s.

Sanogo received significant military training both in Mali and abroad. He attended military academies in Mali and the United States, including training programs at the U.S. Army's Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia, and the Defense Language Institute in San Antonio, Texas. His international training contributed to his reputation as a skilled officer within the Malian Armed Forces.

The political situation in Mali leading up to the 2012 coup was tense, with the government facing increasing challenges from Tuareg rebels in the north. The Malian military, under-equipped and demoralized, struggled to contain the rebellion, leading to growing frustration among the ranks. Sanogo, who was a relatively low-ranking officer at the time, capitalized on this discontent.

On March 21, 2012, Sanogo led a group of soldiers in a coup that overthrew President Touré, just weeks before a scheduled presidential election. The coup was justified by Sanogo and his supporters as a necessary action to address the government's failure to adequately support the military in its fight against the northern rebels. The coup, however, plunged Mali into further chaos, leading to the occupation of the northern region by various Islamist groups.

Following the coup, Sanogo declared himself the leader of the National Committee for the Restoration of Democracy and State (CNRDRE), a military junta that took control of the country. The coup was widely condemned internationally, and Mali faced economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation as a result.

Under pressure from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the international community, Sanogo agreed to step down in favor of a transitional civilian government led by Dioncounda Traoré. However, Sanogo remained a powerful figure in Mali's political landscape, and his influence persisted even after he formally relinquished power.

Sanogo's involvement in Malian politics continued to be controversial. In 2013, he was implicated in the disappearance and deaths of several soldiers who had participated in an attempted counter-coup in April 2012. He was eventually arrested in November 2013 and charged with multiple crimes, including kidnapping, murder, and complicity in torture. Sanogo's trial has been repeatedly delayed, and as of 2024, the legal proceedings against him have yet to reach a conclusion.

Sanogo's legacy is a complex one. He is seen by some as a patriot who acted in what he believed were Mali's best interests, while others view him as a power-hungry opportunist whose actions destabilized the country and exacerbated its crises. The 2012 coup led to a significant realignment of power in Mali, with long-lasting consequences for the nation's political and security situation.

REFERENCE:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amadou_Sanogo