Bamako – Mali’s military-led government said on Friday it will hold a nationwide debate to set the conditions for elections to return the country to civilian rule from December 27-30.
The national forum of rebuilding aims to “to respond to the legitimate ambitions of the Malian people and build a better future”, according to the statement issued on Friday.
Interim Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga, installed by the junta that came to power in August 2020, has repeatedly said that the national debate and a series of lower-level ones that will precede it are needed to ensure any election is uncontested.
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However, a group of Mali’s political parties had already said in November that they would not take part.
The group brings together several parties, including the Rally for Mali (RPM) of former president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, overthrown in 2020, and Yelema, of former prime minister Moussa Mara.
Bamako recently notified the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) that Mali would be unable to organise elections by the February 2022 deadline set by the bloc, citing the serious insecurity in the regions.
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Source: AFP
Picture: Getty Images
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