Mali is one of the big countries in Africa with a total area of 1,240,192 square kilometers. There are six different ethnic groups; Mande who make up 50% of the population, Fula 17%, Voltaic 12%, Tuareg/ Moor 10%, Songhai 6%, and the rest of the population is made up of others. The current acting president is Dioncounda Traore. The gained their independence from the French in 1960, june 20th. They however, became independent as Mali on the 22nd September 1960.