Alpha Oumar Konaré facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alpha Oumar Konaré
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Konaré in 2007
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| 1st Chairman of the Commission of the African Union | |
| In office 16 September 2003 – 1 February 2008 |
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| President | Gertrude Ibengwe Mongella |
| Preceded by | Amara Essy |
| Succeeded by | Jean Ping |
| 3rd President of Mali | |
| In office 8 June 1992 – 8 June 2002 |
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| Preceded by | Amadou Toumani Touré (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Amadou Toumani Touré |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 February 1946 Kayes, French Sudan |
| Nationality | Malian |
| Political party | ADEMA-PASJ |
| Spouse | Adame Ba Konaré |
| Alma mater | University of Warsaw, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies |
| Profession | Tutor, teacher, researcher, professor, historian and archaeologist |
Alpha Oumar Konaré (born 2 February 1946) is a Malian politician, professor, historian, and archaeologist. He served as the President of Mali for two terms, from 1992 to 2002. Later, he became the Chairperson of the African Union Commission from 2003 to 2008.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Alpha Oumar Konaré was born in Kayes, Mali, on February 2, 1946. He was the fourth son of a Fula homemaker. He attended primary school in Kayes.
He continued his studies at several schools, including the Lycée Terrasson des Fougères in Bamako. He also studied at the Collège de Maristes in Dakar, Senegal. From 1962 to 1964, he attended the École Normale Secondaire in Katibougou.
Konaré studied history at the École Normale Supérieure in Bamako from 1965 to 1969. He then went to the University of Warsaw in Poland from 1971 to 1975. He also studied at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, Switzerland.
Career as a Scholar and Researcher
Konaré started his career as a tutor in Kayes. He then became a teacher at high schools in Markala and Bamako. In 1974, he worked as a researcher at the Institut des Sciences Humaines du Mali.
From 1975 to 1978, he was in charge of historical heritage and ethnography. This was part of the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts, and Culture. In 1980, he became a researcher at I.S.F.R.A. (Institut Supérieur de Formation en Recherche Appliquée). He also became a professor in the History/Geography department at the Ecole Normale Supérieure of Bamako.
During his career, Konaré led several professional groups. These included the Association of Historians and Geographers of Mali. He also led the West African Association of Archaeologists. He was also part of the Union of West African Researchers.
From 1981 to 1992, Konaré worked as a consultant. He advised organizations like the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). He also advised the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). From 1989 to 1992, he was the president of ICOM (International Council of Museums).
Political Journey
Konaré became involved in politics when he was 20 years old. In 1967, he was chosen as the Secretary General of the Sudanese Union/African Democratic Rally (US-RDA). This was the party of President Modibo Keïta.
After a military takeover by General Moussa Traoré, Konaré joined a secret political group. This group was called the Malian Party for Work (PMT).
In 1978, he accepted a role in Moussa Traoré's government. He became the Minister of Youth, Sports, Arts, and Culture. He left this role in 1980. During his time as minister, many Malian sports groups were formed.
In 1983, he started a cultural magazine called "Jamana." He also founded a cultural cooperative with the same name. In 1989, he started the daily newspaper Les échos. In 1991, he launched "Radio Bamakan," which was Mali's first free radio station.
Becoming President of Mali
In 1990, Konaré helped create the Alliance for Democracy in Mali (ADEMA). This group brought together different anti-Traoré groups. After Moussa Traoré's government fell in 1991, ADEMA became an official political party, ADEMA/PASJ. Konaré was a delegate for this party at Mali's 1991 National Conference.
In 1992, Konaré was elected as Mali's first president in a democratic election. He won with 69.01% of the votes in the second round. He was re-elected for a second term in 1997. He was sworn in on June 8, 1997.
During his time as president, he helped bring back democracy to Mali. He also managed the Tuareg Rebellion in the northern part of the country. He worked to give more power to local governments. However, there were still problems with corruption during his time in office.
Konaré honored Mali's first president, Modibo Keïta, by creating a memorial for him. He was against the death penalty. In 2002, he changed the death sentences of Moussa Traoré and his wife to life in prison. He is also remembered for bringing the African Cup of Nations, a big football tournament, to Mali in 2002.
On the international stage, Konaré worked for peace in West Africa. He was president of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in 1999. He also led the West African Monetary Union (UEMOA) in 2000.
Mali's constitution limited presidents to two terms. Konaré left office in 2002, and Amadou Toumani Touré became the next president. Konaré is the only Malian president to leave office peacefully at the end of his term.
On July 10, 2003, he was chosen as the Chairman of the Commission of the African Union (AU). This happened at a meeting in Maputo. He was the only candidate for the position. He served in this role until February 1, 2008.
In 2006, during a visit to Harare, Zimbabwe, Konaré did not meet with non-governmental organizations. These groups wanted to discuss the situation in Zimbabwe. On January 25, 2007, Konaré said he would not seek another term as chairman of the AU Commission. Jean Ping of Gabon was elected to take his place in 2008.
After the Presidency
In September 2021, Alpha Oumar Konaré was hospitalized in Morocco. He received urgent medical care at Cheikh Zaid Hospital in Rabat.
See also
In Spanish: Alpha Oumar Konaré para niños
