- Washington “follows with interest” Morocco’s openness onto Africa (John Kerry)Posted 11 years ago
- The trial of South African Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius opened in Pretoria on Monday.Posted 11 years ago
- USA welcomes efforts of King Mohammed VI in MaliPosted 11 years ago
- Egypt’s population reaches 94 millionPosted 11 years ago
- Mugabe celebrates his 90thPosted 11 years ago
- Moroccan Monarch to Build a Perinatal Clinic in BamakoPosted 11 years ago
- King Mohammed VI handed a donation of bovine semen for the benefit of Malian breeders.Posted 11 years ago
- Moroccan King’s strategic tour to Africa: Strengthening the will of pan African Solidarity and stimulating the south-south cooperation mechanisms over the continentPosted 12 years ago
- Senior al-Qaida leader killed in AlgeriaPosted 12 years ago
- Libya: The trial of former Prime Minister al-Baghdadi AliPosted 12 years ago
Mali: All Eyes on Keita
The people of Mali on Tuesday, September 4, 2013 scored another milestone in the country’s democratic process, following the swearing in of President-elect, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. A bigger ceremony will be organized on September 19, 2013 at which several Heads of State and foreign dignitaries are expected to fête Mali’s return to constitutional rule.
However, President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita is inheriting numerous challenges, including a culture of impunity, graft by officials, indiscipline within the security forces, ethnic tensions, and crushing poverty, warns Human Rights Watch, HRW, in a recent report. Corinne Dufka, senior West Africa researcher with HRW, says Mali now stands at crossroads after a deeply troubling period. The new leader’s actions or inaction could usher in greater respect for human rights or a return to the problems that caused Mali’s near-collapse last year, she warns.
The organisation urges President Keita to adopt a zero-tolerance attitude toward abuses by security forces and graft by civil servants, tackle the culture of impunity by strengthening the judiciary and ensuring accountability for wartime abuses. Perhaps, the greatest challenge for the new administration is that of restoring peace and security all over the vast country. Islamist rebels who were chased earlier this year from their northern strongholds remain capable of launching hit and run attacks.
After the devastating coup and war, reconciliation with both ‘vanquished’ rebels and other political stakeholders is a must for the new authorities. This will allow for reconstruction efforts to begin. Other challenges include the return of Internally-displaced People and refugees, revamping the economy, reforming the military and consolidating constitutional rule for Mali to guarantee the stability of its democracy.
