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Mali, one of the poorest countries in the world, has been rocked by violence for several years in a conflict with separatists and Islamist extremists. The latest bloody attack, a jihadist attack in northeastern Mali, took place a few weeks before Sunday's presidential election. In recent months, more than 100 people have been killed in this volatile region, highlighting the fragility of security in the West African nation.
Violence became a central issue in the elections. President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, known as the IBK, is blamed by his opponents for failing to create security in the country and to solve the turmoil following a failed peace agreement in 2015. He is still represented on election posters in the capital Bamako. . The leader rejected the recent attacks of "pockets of violence" and "remnants of terrorism," and said at a voting meeting that the state was still making "huge economic efforts" to prevent acts.
At the same time, dissatisfaction with IBK and his party RPM ( Collection for Mali) has increased. For example, hundreds of residents of the capital gathered in June
Among the 23 other presidential candidates, there is one that may challenge the president: the former finance minister Soumaila Cissé, who lost against Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. He came out and argued that there is cheating in Sunday's election.
Violence is also a threat against the election itself. 30,000 security forces and pro-government armed groups are in charge of monitoring the process on election day.
From the EU, 100 observers should be in place. The Chief Observer of the Union, the Italian Cécile Kyenge, told AFP that she called for "more transparency" and the possibility for observers to do their job. Nevertheless, there is concern that people in violent areas will not dare to go to the polls.
Baba Ahmed / AP
An election poster in the Malian capital, Bamako, shows incumbent President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who is seeking to win Sunday's election.
] In the 2013 election, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita received 78% of the vote. Diplomats like the Reuters news agency have spoken with voters preaching the president this year, despite his criticism. If none of the candidates receives more than half of the votes, a second round of elections, scheduled for August 12, will take place
Among those who want to see peace in Mali, it is hoped that elections can contribute to the The 2015 peace agreement between the government and the rebel forces may once again end on the political agenda after the recent conflict.
Read more: Attack against the anti-terrorist force in Mali
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