Currently expected in February after two coups in the last year
(ANSA) – NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 27 – The elections scheduled in Mali in February of next year could be postponed: this was said by the Prime Minister of Mali, Choguel Kokalla Maiga, speaking with the AFP agency on the sidelines of the General Assembly of ‘UN in New York. The Malian premier said presidential and legislative elections could be postponed for “two weeks, two months, a few months”, adding that the decision will be made in October, after a meeting of a national forum.
“Eventually we will make public a more detailed program”, added Maiga, stating that “it is better to organize peaceful elections, recognized by all, rather than to organize elections that will be contested”.
The vote is aimed at restoring civilian government after the military coup led by Colonel Assimi Goita, who dismissed President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in August 2020. This was followed by another coup which last May overthrew the government to interim set up in the meantime, with Goita declared the new president of Mali.
Earlier this month, the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) raised concerns about possible postponements of elections in Mali.
The electoral calendar “was set on the basis of Ecowas’ requests without asking questions about the practical steps to take to get there,” said Maiga. “We decided to be pragmatic, to be realistic,” he added. (HANDLE).