Centrist bloc could be key to Mali presidential race

Subject

Malie elections outlook

Significance

Malian voters will decide on July 29 whether to give President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita a second term. He enjoys the advantages of incumbency, but voters are disillusioned. The outcome could be decided by one-time centrist Keita allies who have broken away to form their own bloc, the ‘Convention of the Builders’.

Impacts

• Although the election field looks crowded, many are minor figures who will likely make little impact.
• The credibility of the election should be bolstered by the introduction of biometric voter identity cards.
• New Prime Minister Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga’s energetic outreach may not be enough to restore public faith in Keita’s weak leadership.