Mali
Mali elections a homage to democracy

afrol News, 26 April  - At the end of Omar Alpha Konaré's presidency, the Malian electoral system has been seriously put to the test. Throughout the whole period of campaigning, the record-high number of 24 emerging presidential candidates has been struggling with enormous logistical problems; Mali being one of the poorest nations in the world with 2/3 of the vast land consisting mainly of desert. 

Since the overthrow of military dictator Moussa Traoré in 1992 incumbent president Konaré has been governing the country to the satisfaction of both the Malian public and the international community, and would most likely had been re-elected had not the Constitution barred from seeking a third term. After stepping down from the presidential office Konaré seems to be leaving Malian politics. Konaré is among the top candidates for the office as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR), after Irish Mary Robinson announced she would step down. 

During his ten year long presidency Konaré has promoted decentralisation and managed to put an end to the long history of human rights violations, shifting dictatorships and fighting between ethnicities. Konaré's democratic legacy may best be summed up by his willingness to step down, in contrast to some of his colleagues. 

The candidates most likely to succeed him are four grand old men of Mali's political life, one former head of state, two ex-Prime Ministers and one ex-Minister. The favourite comes from the opposition.

The government party Alliance for Malian Democracy (ADEMA) last month presented the former infrastructure minister, Soumaila Cissé, as its official candidate. Cissé resigned from government to be able to contest the poll, following the regulations of Mali's electoral rules. With the support of ADEMA, Cissé automatically is one of the favourites to the poll. 

Somewhat more surprising was the announcement last month by the former military leader of the country, General Amadou Toumani Touré, that he would contest the elections. Touré restored democracy in 1992, after he had disposed of military dictator Moussa Traoré in a coup. Heading a transitional committee, Touré helped prepare the first democratic elections in Mali's history in 1992, where President Konaré first came to power. This also makes him a popular outsider to this year's presidential poll, although his bearing a uniform is seen as a disadvantage. 

A third man of particular interest is Mandé Sidibé, Prime Minister until his resignation in March. Sidibé is a former IMF official headhunted to head the government by President Konaré in February 2000, which makes him somewhat popular in the international community than at home. Sidibé also belongs to the ADEMA party, but he lost the party's tough nomination vote to become its candidate to Cissé. Sidibé and Cissé have become each others main opponents in the campaign. Sidibé is one of the most known of the credible candidates, but he lacked the party support Cissé was assured of. 

The highest profiled opposition politician to stand candidate is Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, one of Mali's richest men and leader of the Rally for Mali (RPM) party, founded only last year. Keïta is an old colleague of Cissé, being Mali's Prime Minister between 1994 and 2000, before he broke with ADEMA to found his own party, and Sidibé took over his office. 

The biggest favourite to the elections seems to be the last mentioned. 

According to BBC's Joan Baxter "a powerful collective of 20 Islamic associations has over the past few days been using radio broadcasts to urge a vote for Mr Keita", moreover are Islamic leaders insisting that "the 95% of Mali's population who are Muslim vote in accordance with their religious beliefs". She adds that many Muslims are discontent with the choice, arguing that "Islam suffered during Mr Keita's term in office, when lotteries and casinos were introduced to the country". The Muslim clergy's recommendation obviously improves Keita's chances.

However, there are 24 candidates to the presidency who were able to pay the deposit of US$ 7000 to be able to register. Only one, namely the only woman to stand candidate, was not able to raise the amount necessary. The large number of candidates is however not entirely seen as a resource to the Malian public.

Given their ability to raise the deposit, each and every Malian citizen is entitled to the equal governmental financial support to broadcast his of her message to the electorate. With the estimated total costs of US$ 7.2 million to finance all the 24 of them, the question asked by locals is whether Malian democracy is living beyond its means.

Of course, securing a democratic election in a country with the size and sparse population density such as Mali has its cost. Logistical problems dominate. More concrete, mobile ballot boxes carried on camelbacks are needed to fulfil democratic needs in the most remote areas. Nothing is spared to ensure the popular verdict on the candidates.

By Knut Henrik Gjone, afrol News

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