Mali Military Junta Shifts Election Due To "Technical Reason"

The military junta of Mali through its spokesman, Abdoulaye Miaga stated on Monday that the initially scheduled dates for the two rounds of voting, February 4 and 18, 2024, were postponed owing to “technical reasons”. He further stated that,

"The new dates for the presidential election will be communicated later."

In Mali, the relationship between civilian leadership and military involvement is a complex challenge. The recent decision to postpone elections underlines the vulnerability of Mali's democratic system and the importance of stability. The military's objective in delaying the elections is to address urgent security issues and create a more inclusive voting process that involves all citizens.

Since the Mail military took power, there has been a delay in the transition timetable. The constitutional referendum, originally scheduled for February 2023, was delayed and eventually held in June. Similarly, the local elections, initially planned for June, have yet to occur.

On the night of May 24, 2021, the Malian Army, under the leadership of Vice President Assimi Goïta, successfully took control of President Bah N'daw, Prime Minister Moctar Ouane, and Minister of Defence Souleymane Doucouré. Goïta, who previously led the junta responsible for the 2020 Malian coup d'état, declared that N'daw and Ouane were no longer in power and announced plans for new elections in 2022. This marks the third coup d'état in Mali within a decade, following the military takeovers in 2012 and 2020, the latter occurring just nine months prior.

The military government has since then been in power in Mali and is yet to transfer power back to the civilian government.