Mali: UN mission welcomes confirmation of presidential election results

The United Nations Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) today confirmed the country’s election results by the Constitutional Court, which declared Ibrahim Boubacar Keita the nation’s new President.

Last week, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon congratulated Mr. Keita on his election, as well as the people of Mali, and acknowledged the concession of the second place candidate Soumaïla Cissé, saluting his commitment to democratic principles.

The elections were seen as an important step on the path to recovery for Mali. Since early 2012, the country has witnessed a military coup d'état, renewed fighting between Government forces and Tuareg rebels, and the seizure of its northern territory by radical Islamists.

In accordance with its mandate, MINUSMA provided technical and logistical assistance for the run-off as well as for the first round of voting held on 28 July, in addition to support to the Malian security authorities.

The Mission’s tasks included transporting sensitive and non-sensitive electoral material and staff of national organizations responsible for the elections, supporting the deployment of election observers throughout the country, and supporting the compilation of election results from administrative centres to the capital, Bamako.

MINUSMA also helped facilitate the participation of Malian refugees in the election by transferring voting cards to refugees in Mauritania. In addition, the peacekeeping mission supported the Malian Defence and Security Forces in implementing the security plan for the elections.

The Mission’s core task is to support the political process in Mali, in close coordination with the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).