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Mali Presidential election run-off: Vote counting begins, Keita remains favorite candidate coming into polls
After challenging the result of the July 28 election, alleging fraud, Cisse promised to accept the second round’s outcome.
Many Malians hope this election can change a system of “consensus politics” under which Toure seduced political opponents with government positions and failed to undertake reforms, discrediting his government in the eyes of voters. “I think we will see a change,” said Chris Fomunyoh, senior associate for Africa at the National Democratic Institute in Washington. “The personality differences between the candidates are so great that whoever loses will create a real opposition.”
Keita has captured the popular mood by avoiding outspoken criticism of the coup leaders who toppled Toure, earning the tacit blessing of the military. He has also successfully courted Mali’s powerful Islamic clerics, some of whom have endorsed him.
Critics say Cisse, who condemned the coup, supports the corrupt political class, but he rejects the claim, saying he is a defender of democracy.
The African Union has been pushing for the vote to be held to replace the weak interim administration that has led the country since the military junta agreed to hand over power to a civilian transitional administration in April 2012.
Tuareg separatists, once allied with Islamist fighters allowed voting to take place after Bamako agreed to discuss their demands of autonomy for the sparsely populated homeland they call Azawad. “This election can bring peace if there is a president who takes negotiations seriously,” said Abarkan Ag Abzaik, mayor of Kidal, where pro-independence graffiti covers walls and the red, yellow, black and green flag of Azawad is everywhere.
Source: Newswires
