Mali: Presidential elections set for July 29

Event

On Friday, April 27, the Malian government announced that the first round of the presidential elections will be held on July 29. According to the Council of Ministers, the official campaign period will start on July 7 and end on July 27. If necessary, the second round of the elections will be held on August 12. Political events and demonstrations related to the elections are anticipated throughout the country in the coming months, particularly in the capital city of Bamako.

Context

Presidential elections have been repeatedly postponed since 2013, largely due to security concerns from the ongoing extremist threat. Current President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has not announced if he will run for another term as of April 28. However, several other politicians have already announced their candidacy.

Due to the presence of various armed groups, Mali's northern and central regions remain unstable despite a French-led intervention launched in 2013 that drove many extremists from their strongholds. France maintains approximately 4000 troops stationed throughout the Sahel, in addition to the presence of local military troops.

Advice

Individuals in Mali, particularly in Bamako, are advised to monitor the situation and avoid all political demonstrations as a precaution.

The security environment in Mali remains complex, particularly in the north and central regions. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.