Malian political groups have expressed outrage at the junta’s recent decision to postpone the presidential election, which was intended to return civilian rule to the nation. The ruling junta announced on Monday (Sep. 25) that the election, originally scheduled for February 2024, would be delayed indefinitely. The new dates for the voting will be communicated at a later time, according to a government spokesperson. Reasons cited for the delay include issues related to the adoption of a new Constitution and a review of the electoral lists, as well as a dispute with French company Idemia, which the junta claims is involved in the census process.
The M5-RFP opposition coalition, which led protests against former president Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta in 2020, condemned the junta’s decision to postpone the two rounds of voting as a violation of their commitments. The movement, which had become critical of the ruling junta, was sidelined by the new authorities after the coup that deposed Keïta. Since the announcement, other parties, including the Democratique League for Change and the Yelema party, have voiced their disappointment and disapproval of the junta’s actions, citing a lack of foresight, incompetence, and a refusal to honor commitments.
The postponement of the election has also raised concerns within the international community. The regional bloc ECOWAS has been pressuring the junta since 2020 to restore civilian rule, and the recent announcement is viewed as another setback to the scheduled transfer of power. ECOWAS, which has a “zero tolerance” policy for coups d’état, has faced a series of political upheavals in the region, including in Mali’s neighbouring countries Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea.
While ECOWAS has not officially responded to the recent announcement, the delay of the election poses a challenge to the bloc’s efforts to restore stability and democratic governance in the region. The soldiers, who carried out consecutive coups in 2020 and 2021, had initially pledged to hold legislative elections in February 2022. However, this promise was not kept, further undermining trust in the junta’s commitment to a timely return to civilian rule.
Critics argue that the postponement of the election is primarily a matter of political will and that the technical reasons cited by the junta could have been avoided. Mamadou Ismaila Konaté, Mali’s former Justice Minister, took to social media to accuse the junta of using the French company as a scapegoat for their failure to address public affairs effectively.
The Malian population is growing increasingly frustrated with the ongoing political instability and uncertainty surrounding the election. Many had hoped that the presidential election would pave the way for a peaceful transition of power and the restoration of stability in the country. The prolonged delays risk exacerbating tensions and further undermining confidence in the junta’s ability to lead the nation towards a democratic future.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the junta and international actors, including ECOWAS, will respond to the mounting criticisms and pressures to expedite the electoral process. The Malian people deserve a transparent and fair election that allows them to choose their future leaders and regain control over the country’s governance. The postponement only serves to exacerbate their frustration and deepen the political uncertainty that has been plaguing Mali for years.
Image Credit: aboodi vesakaran on Unsplash
