The Military government in Mali has announced the postponement of the election to usher in civilian rule in the country without giving another date.

This announcement was made by the head of the military government that seized power in 2020, Colonel Assimi Goïta. The postponement according to the announcement is due to technical reasons.

The details of the technical reasons as announced on Monday 25th September 2023 include "issues with the updating of the electoral roll and problems with a census database following a dispute with the operating company".

Meanwhile, a new election date was not mentioned in the announcement but that a "new election date is to be announced at a later date".

The announcement also stated that "At the request of the military junta of Colonel Assimi Goïta, the UN stabilization mission with around 12,000 peacekeepers would withdrawn by the end of the year".

France/UN Peacekeepers officials in Mali

It will be recalled that the military seized power in Mali more than two years ago and the timetable for the transition has been delayed before. All activities relating to the transitional process have either been delayed or not held at all. This is against the promise of Assimi Goïta led military government that promised to arrange the smoith process of transition to civilian rule in Mali, hence, Assimi 's military government is referred to as transitional government. A constitutional referendum planned for February 2023 was not held until June, and local elections planned for June have still not taken place.

A member of the Russian mercenaries in Mali

Meanwhile, reports from the country pointed to a bad security situation, especially in the north and center of Mali.

Islamists close to the terrorist militias Islamic State and al-Qaeda control large areas of the country on the edge of the Sahara.

The Malian army has turned away from former European partners such as the ex-colonial power France and is fighting the terrorists with the help of Russian mercenaries.

We do Hope the country will not descend into the pit of anarchy before returning to civil rule.