Mali's transition to elections will be prolonged

Significance

Malian authorities on January 1 proposed a five-year delay to elections that were due to take place in February. The proposal came after Mali’s National Conference on Reconstruction formally recommended that the transition be extended by at least six months or up to five years beyond February.

Impacts

• Despite army claims that soldiers are eliminating scores of jihadists, much of Mali's territory is outside government control.
• The now-confirmed presence of Russian military trainers may give the junta more bargaining power in negotiations on the electoral timetable.
• The government is weak on economic policy and will struggle to stem the rise in food prices.