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Mali is one of the poorest countries in the world and has been shaken by violence for several years in a conflict between separatist 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 West Africa
Refuses Accusations
Violence has become a key 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 has denied the many attacks of the past few months as "pockets of violence" and "terrorism remains" and said at a voting meeting that the state is still making "huge economic efforts" "to prevent more acts. The Party RPM (Collection for Mali) has been developed. In June, hundreds of residents of the capital rallied to protest.
Among the other 23 presidential candidates, there is one that may challenge the president: the former finance minister Soumaila Cisse, who lost to Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.
Strong Monitoring
Violence is also a threat to the election itself. Among other things, in northern Mali, where the state does not control in principle, 30,000 people have been called outside security forces and pro-government armed groups.
From the EU, 100 observers should be in place. The chief observer of the EU, 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.
In the 2013 elections, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita won 78% of the vote. Diplomats like the Reuters news agency have spoken of the president's election 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 wish for peace in Mali, the elections could contribute to the conclusion of the elections. peace agreement Government and rebel forces can once again put an end to the political agenda after the recent conflict
Background: Mali and the presidential election
Mali is located in Africa. Where is. The country was almost three times larger than Sweden
The country was a relatively stable democracy from 1992 until the coup of 2012. After the coup, the country was in conflict with Tuareg separatists and Islamist terrorists. In 2013, the United Nations sent a peacekeeping force, called Minusma, to Mali. It also includes Swedish soldiers.
Attacks have been targeted several times in recent years against targets related to Westerners. The kidnappings are nothing unusual. In November 2011, the Swede Johan Gustafsson was kidnapped.
In June 2015, a peace agreement was signed between the government and the rebel forces, but the unrest continues. The violence has also spread to neighboring countries, Burkina Faso and Niger.
Eight million people have the right to vote in Sunday's presidential election. All presidential candidates are men, except one – Djeneba Ndiaye, a 55-year-old businesswoman. All candidates promise to turn the spiral of violence in the country, to help poor cities and big boys in big cities.
Source: AFP, Reuters
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