Mali: A successful dialogue and stabilisation are the sine qua non conditions for fixing the date of an election, says the Prime Minister

Since the Malian authorities decided to halt the activities of political parties and politically-aligned civil society organizations, there has been a wave of criticism aimed at the government of Mali, with various accusations flying around without addressing the core issue.

This situation prompted Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maïga to recently reiterate that Mali is actively engaged in a battle against terrorism.

There’s no need to delve into the origins of terrorism in the Sahel and its backers. The undeniable reality today is that since the inception of the Sahel Alliance, with its aim to distance itself from detrimental relationships, Western powers have felt their interests threatened, leading to subversive actions to protect their gains.

Following numerous failed attempts to destabilize the situation and return power to civilian control, the current strategy involves manipulating political parties, many of which exist only nominally, to demand immediate elections.

The core issue in the Sahel today is not about holding elections. Those suggesting otherwise either lack understanding of current geopolitics or serve the interests of imperialists, seeking to undermine the Malian people.

In other contexts, the idea of holding elections during a period of conflict would not even be entertained. Political parties’ activities are suspended without major repercussions.

However, when it involves an African nation, the Western response is often disproportionate, stirring controversy.

As the Prime Minister of Mali rightly pointed out, achieving a stable environment is crucial before considering elections.

 This stability must be firmly established to ensure a conducive and fair electoral process.

Neil Camara