In 1968, Traoré had himself led a military coup d'état, ousting the first president of Mali, Modibo Keïta, and making himself the second.

[2] Further, Traoré had to institute austerity programs to satisfy the International Monetary Fund, causing increased hardship for all but the rich.

[1] Sources vary as to the toll: the opposition claimed 148 killed and hundreds wounded, while Traoré said there were 27 deaths.

[4] Education Minister Bakary Traore and Mamadou Diarra, the former leader's brother-in-law, were burned to death.

[1] The National Reconciliation Council (soon renamed the Transitional Committee for the Salvation of the People), chaired by Touré, was set up to run the country temporarily, until civilian government was reestablished in 1992 after constitutional referendum, presidential and parliamentary elections.