Mali Elections Marred by Kidnappings, COVID-19

A Malian official of the Kayes Region casts his vote during the 2018 Mali election. (Wikimedia Commons)

The long-delayed parliamentary elections in Mali have been plagued by fears stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, reports Al Jazeera. Additionally, two days before the elections, unknown gunmen kidnapped the primary opposition leader, Soumaïla Cisse. Despite the health and security concerns, voting took place as scheduled on March 29, shortly after the country reported its first COVID-19 fatality, according to France 24.

This recent election marks the first time Malians have voted since 2013 when President Ibrahim Keita’s party, Rally for Mali, won a parliamentary majority. Though an election had been scheduled for 2018, it was delayed by officials citing security concerns. Now that the first round of voting has concluded, citizens will return to the ballot box for a second round of voting on April 19, reports Anadolu Agency.

Considering the present situation regarding COVID-19, officials have criticized the public health conditions in which the first round of elections took place. In response, the national government’s election spokesman, Amini Maiga, reassured the electorate that hand-washing kits would be made available at polling stations across the country. Incumbent President Keita insisted that the election would proceed regardless of health concerns, stating that it is essential for reestablishing peace in the troubled West African country, which has seen violent conflicts plague its northern region in recent years.

Much of Mali’s domestic instability began in 2012 following the seizure of a large swath of the country’s northern territory by Tuareg separatists from Libya. Although the separatists have since been pushed back, rural parts of the country remain under militant control, according to the Washington Post. Analysts have argued that this election cycle could represent a turning point in the fight to end the country’s years-long cycle of violence through enacting key reforms.

Specifically, a new parliamentary regime could strengthen efforts to negotiate peace with many of the country’s armed rebel militants. Additionally, many of the country’s attempts at healthcare and other public service reforms could be shaped by the results of this election. These issues have greatly contributed to the insurgency plaguing Mali, as many residents, particularly in rural parts of the country, are driven to join armed militant organizations due to a lack of access to basic provisions.

The conflict in Mali’s northern territory has also caused many to question the recent elections, as those displaced by the conflict may have faced difficulties in reaching polling stations, according to DW. BBC reports that as many as 200,000 internally displaced persons did not make it to the polls due to challenges of accessibility.

The most controversial aspect of the election, however, remains the kidnapping of leading opposition candidate Soumaïla Cisse, who has been the runner-up in three prior presidential elections. Cisse, who is the leader of the Union for the Republic and Democracy part (URD), disappeared along with some of her staff while campaigning in central Mali, according to Africanews. Local security sources stated that the as of yet unknown perpetrators are likely members of the local Al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist cell Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM). The group has claimed responsibility for dozens of deaths in Mali just since the beginning of 2020. In response to the incident, Keita promptly announced that "no effort would be spared in securing [Cisse's] release,” reports DW.

Concerned that this incident would discourage Malians from coming out to vote, the URD issued a statement published by BBC calling on its supporters to redouble their efforts in the upcoming round of elections.

All but 797 out of Mali’s 22,147 voting stations opened during the first round of voting as planned, reports Africa News. The stations that remained closed due to security concerns were situated in Mali’s highly volatile northern and central regions.

Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization Boubacar Alpha Bah announced that voter turnout was 36 percent out of 7.6 million registered voters. Alpha Bah said during a press conference reported on by Agence France-Presse, "The participation rate still poses a challenge to our democracy.”

Despite health and security concerns, Mali is scheduled to have a second round of parliamentary elections on April 19.