Amadou Toumani Touré, born on November 4, 1948, in Mopti, French Sudan (now Mali), was a prominent Malian politician and military officer. He is best known for his role as a former President of Mali and for his involvement in two key coups that shaped the country’s political landscape.

Touré began his military career after attending the prestigious Kati Military School in Mali, followed by advanced military training in France and the Soviet Union. He rose through the ranks of the Malian Armed Forces, earning a reputation as a capable and disciplined officer. His leadership and dedication led him to become the commander of the 33rd Parachute Regiment, one of Mali's elite military units.

In March 1991, Touré played a crucial role in the overthrow of the military dictator Moussa Traoré. Traoré had ruled Mali with an iron fist since 1968, and his regime was marked by widespread corruption, human rights abuses, and economic mismanagement. The unrest culminated in mass protests against Traoré's government, which Touré, as a military officer, chose to support. On March 26, 1991, Touré led a coup that deposed Traoré, leading to the formation of a transitional government. He was hailed as a hero for his role in restoring democracy to Mali.

After the coup, Touré served as the head of the transitional government and was instrumental in organizing democratic elections. True to his promise to return power to civilians, he stepped down in 1992 after Alpha Oumar Konaré was elected as Mali's president. Touré's actions during this period earned him the nickname "The Soldier of Democracy."

Touré remained out of the political spotlight for nearly a decade, focusing on humanitarian efforts and working with various international organizations. However, in 2002, he re-entered the political arena as a presidential candidate. Running as an independent, he won the presidency with a substantial majority, signaling his enduring popularity and the trust the Malian people placed in him.

As president, Touré's administration focused on economic development, education, and infrastructure improvements. His tenure was marked by efforts to combat poverty and improve living standards in Mali. However, his second term was increasingly marred by challenges, including corruption, poor governance, and the rise of armed insurgent groups in northern Mali.

In 2012, Touré's presidency came to an abrupt end when he was overthrown in a military coup led by Captain Amadou Sanogo. The coup was triggered by growing discontent within the military over the government's handling of the Tuareg rebellion in northern Mali, as well as accusations of corruption and mismanagement. The coup occurred just weeks before the end of Touré's term, and he was forced into exile in Senegal.

After years of living in exile, Touré returned to Mali in December 2019 following an invitation from the Malian government. Despite the controversies surrounding his presidency's end, he remained a respected figure in Malian society.

Amadou Toumani Touré passed away on November 10, 2020, in Istanbul, Turkey, where he had been receiving medical treatment. His death was met with widespread mourning in Mali, and he was remembered for his pivotal role in the country's democratic transition and his contributions to Malian society.

REFERENCE:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amadou_Toumani_Tour%C3%A9