French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has urged on Malian authorities not to delay its upcoming elections in his Monday speech before the U.N. General Assembly in New York City.
This month's #conversationscitoyennes by @CitoyenSecurite talks about the possibilities and challenges for the upcoming elections in #Mali to end the transitional period. pic.twitter.com/XQ5pwSMna7
— Christian Klatt (@chk2310) September 25, 2021
He issued the call hours after Malian Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga said the election could be postponed by months due to security conditions. It's currently scheduled to take place Feb. 27.
Le Drian, in a prerecorded speech before the 76th General Assembly, said France was adapting its military structure in order to better assist regional and international partners, including those serving in the U.N. Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali.
He pointed to French forces' recent killing of Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi, the leader of the Islamic State in Greater Sahara as an example of France "producing real results" in the region.
A 7-year term for Mali’s proposed election commission would guarantee oversight over two future election cycles in Mali (at least), so it’s not at all surprising many are unhappy about the proposal: https://t.co/2d49XCw1HT
— Andrew Lebovich (@tweetsintheME) September 25, 2021
"These efforts are not sustainable without political stability and without the respect for the democratic process," Le Drian said.
Mali's democratic process and the February election "must be strictly observed," he added.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
