Mali Presidential Elections Postponed to 2024 Due to Technical Reasons, Constitutional Review Underway

Mali Presidential Elections Postponed to 2024 Due to Technical Reasons, Constitutional Review Underway

Postponement of the Presidential Election

The military-led government of Mali has announced a delay in the presidential elections, initially set for February 2024. The postponement, attributed to “technical reasons,” was announced by government spokesperson Abdoulaye Maiga. The delay aims to provide the transitional government with sufficient time to review its election data and address a new constitutional provision that could potentially delay the second round of voting. The new dates for the presidential election will be announced following discussions with the Independent Election Management Authority (AIGE).

Second Delay and Potential Consequences

This postponement marks the second time the military government, birthed by two coups in 2020, has delayed the nation’s presidential election. The decision has prompted criticism from Malian politicians and may lead to economic sanctions from the West African regional bloc, ECOWAS. ECOWAS had previously lessened sanctions on Mali in July 2022 after the government promised to conduct the election as per the original timeline.

Political Instability and Security Concerns

The delay comes amidst continuous attacks by armed groups associated with Al Qaeda, the Islamic State group, and former rebels whose peace agreement with the government recently collapsed. The country has been grappling with political instability since August 2020 when soldiers led by Col. Assimi Goita overthrew the democratically elected president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta. Despite promising to restore civilian rule within 18 months, military leaders established a transitional government with Goita as president, seven months into the transition process. In June, a referendum was held on a new draft constitution, which the regime claimed would set the stage for future elections.

The Role of International Entities

The delay of the election is seen as a significant setback in the journey to restore democracy in Mali. International entities like ECOWAS have been influential in pushing for a return to civilian rule and have used sanctions as a form of pressure. However, the effectiveness of these measures is yet to be seen. The fact that this is the second delay might further complicate Mali’s relationship with international entities and could lead to stricter sanctions or other forms of diplomatic pressure.

Outlook for Mali

The decision to postpone the election has sparked concerns about the future of democracy in Mali. With ongoing attacks by terrorist groups and the failure of peace agreements, the country’s political and security situation appears increasingly precarious. The military government’s commitment to restoring civilian rule is being questioned, particularly given the recent delay in elections. It remains to be seen how the situation will unfold and what steps the international community might take to facilitate a peaceful transition to democracy.