In Mali, the transition period has officially ended on March 26, 2024. More than four years after the military coup of August 2020, no date has been officially set for the general elections, already postponed several times. , and which must allow a return to constitutional order. But many leading Malian political figures, opponents or supporters of the regime in place, assure that an announcement will be made by the end of the year.
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The 2025 finance bill published in October provides more than 80 billion CFA francs (122 million euros) for “ election expenses ” At Mali. “ The organization of general elections » is erected there as “ priority », behind the strengthening of defense forces or the development of socio-economic infrastructure. Its examination by the National Transitional Council, which acts as a legislative assembly, is scheduled for mid-December. We will only know when the text is adopted if this budget line is maintained, modified… or deleted, as was the case in 2023.
“ Our country is heading towards general elections »
Another indicator: the annual revision of the electoral lists, from October to December, for which the transitional government and the so-called independent Election Management Authority (Aige), are making significant awareness-raising efforts. “ Everything indicates that our country is heading towards general elections », We could read in October in an article devoted to this revision of the electoral lists by the state newspaper l’Growth.
Aige also undertook during the summer to renew dialogue with the political class “ for an inclusive electoral process », according to the official terms, even if the incarceration in June of eleven former ministers and party leaders makes this dialogue laborious. “ Their release could be an opportunity to play appeasement at the time of the elections », Asks an opponent opportunely.
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Announcement in the New Year, elections in the spring?
Because the Malian political class is already preparing. As long as no announcement is made, the prospect of elections obviously remains hypothetical. But many figures in Malian politics, opponents or supporters of the military in power, including party leaders and former ministers with positions in the Prime Minister’s Office or the Presidency, tell RFI that they are expecting an announcement of here at the end of the year.
“Maybe on the occasion of the New Year », suggest several sources, for a convening of the electoral college in the first months of 2025. In which case the elections could be held in the spring. “ Their goal is elections in April “, assure several personalities of various tendencies, “ in the first half of next year “, adds another party leader.
Assimi Goïta candidate?
Some of these sources remain cautious about the candidate who will carry the torch of the current transitional authorities: “ the decision has not yet been made “, ” they are looking for common ground », Explain certain personalities. But most of the politicians interviewed are convinced or believe they know that the now general Assimi Goïtapresident of the Transition, will seek his own succession.
The transition charter that he himself signed categorically prohibits him from doing so, but the inter-Malian dialogue organized last spring by the regime in place made the candidacy of Assimi Goïta one of its recommendations. The extension of the Transition from two to five years, “ until the country stabilizes ”, was another. These recommendations are not binding.
In any case, in the eyes of all the political figures interviewed by RFI, nothing is impossible for the military who have held power for more than four years and who have repeatedly renounced their commitments regarding elections.
From the same argument, some observers draw a different conclusion and bet on remaining in power without a vote for as long as possible. The absence of an official deadline proves them right. Until when?
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