Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, known as IBK, should soon be officially proclaimed president of Mali after being congratulated by his opponent, Soumaila Cisse, who recognized Monday, August 12 defeat after the second round of the presidential election. "My family and I went to Mr. Keita, future president of Mali, congratulate him on his victory. God bless Mali ", wrote Monday unsuccessful candidate on his Twitter account.

Soumaila Cisse made the announcement even before the publication of the results of the second round. The former Minister of Finance decided to concede defeat when it became clear qu'IBK was head Gao even the most largest city in the north of Mali. Estimates for two-thirds of the ballots gave, indeed, a very large advance IBK.

After the first round of 28 July, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita had obtained 39.79% of the vote against 19.70% for his rival, and went heavily favored in the second round. He had obtained the rallying 22 25 candidates eliminated.

A daunting task for the winner

Despite some marginal irregularities, Malian and international observers praised the conduct of the election. "This election, in terms of democratic norms, is a follow one another s ", told Louis Michel, head of the observation mission of the European Union. "This is an election that now allows Mali to start the conclusion of an ongoing process: the return to a normal democracy," he added.

"This was an important step in the transition to Mali to peace and reconciliation, said the Special Representative of the UN, Bert Koenders. There were small imperfections […] but no violence was impressive in a country emerging from conflict only. "

After the victory of IBK will be officially confirmed, the cacique of the Malian political life of 68 years will prioritize to open negotiations with the Tuareg in the north, whose uprising in early 2012 led Mali to the brink of collapse.

The lack of protest from Soumaila Cisse should give the former prime minister the authority to also engage in discussions on the preservation of the unity of Mali, to reform the army and to tackle endemic corruption found in the circles of power. 

This presidential election is expected to close open in March 2012 by a coup of junior officers unhappy with the failure of the then President parenthesis Amadou Toumani Toure, to quell a rebellion Touareg.

The Movement for the uniqueness and Jihad in West Africa (Mujao), one of three major Islamic groups at work in 2012 in the north of Mali, had threatened to disrupt the dice , bearing the presidential election, but it has not happened while the UN is currently deploying a peacekeeping of 12,600 peacekeepers, known Minusma.

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