The ruling junta in Mali recently announced a further postponement of the presidential election initially scheduled for February 2024. This postponement constitutes a further delay in the process of returning to civilian government in this country which faces numerous challenges, including jihadism and a deep multidimensional crisis.
According to the Malian authorities, this postponement is due to technical reasons linked to the adoption of a new constitution in 2023 and the revision of the electoral lists. Additionally, a dispute with a French company involved in the census process was also mentioned as one of the reasons for this postponement.
In addition to this postponement of the presidential election, the authorities have also decided to postpone the legislative elections initially scheduled for the end of 2023. It is planned that these elections will be organized later, after the presidential election.
These successive postponements have raised concerns about the junta’s real desire to cede power to civilians. Indeed, after two coups in 2020 and 2021, the military had initially promised to allow a return to civilian government following presidential and legislative elections scheduled for February 2022. However, the junta then declared that She would not be able to respect this timetable and considered extending her mandate to carry out profound reforms.
These delays in the political transition process also sparked reactions from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which had imposed trade and financial sanctions on Mali in response to the coup. State. These sanctions were lifted in July 2022, after the junta agreed to step down from power in March 2024 and set the electoral calendar.
In a context marked by violence and insecurity, particularly in the central and eastern regions of Mali, as well as an intensification of jihadist activities, this new postponement of the presidential election raises questions about the capacity of the countries to overcome these challenges and restore stability.
It is therefore essential that the Malian junta respects its commitments and puts in place a transparent and inclusive electoral process in order to allow a return to legitimate civilian government. The international community, including ECOWAS, must continue to exert pressure on the junta to ensure free and fair elections are held within the agreed deadlines. The future of Mali depends on it.