Mali's Presidential Election, Round 1

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Mali held its 8th presidential election on July 29 and the runoff will be held on August 12.

Mali became independent in 1960 and democratized in 1991. The first two presidential elections were single-party affairs; the first multiparty election was held in 1992. A month before the 2012 elections, the government was toppled by a coup by an army frustrated by the rebellion in the north. Following French intervention, the Malian government regained (a semblance of) control over the north and multiparty elections were back on track in 2013, and Ibrahim Boubacar Keita won the presidency in the second round.

In the run up to last month's election, security remained a concern, grievances in the north remain, and there were questions about the electoral register and resources for voting operations.

The incumbent won 41% in the first round, and will go up against Soumaïla Cissé. This will be Cissé's third runoff - he made the second round in 2003 and 2013 but has not yet won the presidency.


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