Mali's former president Moussa Traore dies at 83

Mali's former president Moussa Traore, who ruled the West Africa nation for more than 22 years, has died at age 83, according to his son Idrissa Traore.

Traore seized power in a military coup in 1968, eight years after Mali gained independence from France.

He ruled the country as its military leader until 1979 when he installed himself as civilian president of a one-party state, running in presidential elections in 1985 as the only candidate.

Traore was eventually ousted in a coup in 1991 after days of violent protests amid unrest over years of economic decline.

His death comes nearly a month after military leaders in Mali staged a coup on August 18, deposing President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who had three years left in his second term in office.