Keita supporters celebrate outside a Bamako polling station on August 11, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ISSOUF SANOGO
On Thursday, Mali’s government confirmed what international observers and Malian voters already knew — Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, also known as IBK, is the country’s new president-elect. Keita won the August 11 presidential run-off with 78 % of the vote.
The former prime minister emerged as an early frontrunner in the contest, distinguishing himself from a field of 28 candidates despite a platform bereft of striking differences from the field — it was pro-national unity and anti-corruption. His run-off opponent, Soumaila Cissé, was quick to concede defeat, and congratulated Keita in person on August 12. The smooth election is critical for Mali, which is struggling to rebuild after 18 months of political strife — thanks to weak leadership, the country was felled by a military coup, northern occupation by Tuareg separatists, and subsequently by jihadists, and residual bitterness between north and south.
There’s no question that Keita played a role in re-energizing Malian voters. The initial round of voting on July 28 drew a record 49% turnout; the former P.M. has earned endorsements from 22 of his opponents. But despite the overwhelming mandate for reform, the status quo may remain.
Keita is a veteran of Mali’s French-educated political elite. He made two failed presidential bids in the Oughts, before serving as speaker of the national assembly under ousted president Amadou Toumani Touré. Given his strongman persona — he’s cracked down on separatist movements in the past — IBK will be hard-pressed to make headway with Tuareg rebels distrustful of Bamako. If he does, it will come at the cost of alienating his large southern support base, many of whom are resentful of 2012′s Tuareg rebellion. It would be at cross-purposes with his rumored backers in Paris, as well: though French President François Hollande’s Socialist government is reportedly pushing for northern self-governance, the president-elect has pledged to unify the divided nation.
When it comes to Mali’s two other major challenges, Keita has stances less clear. Notably on how to reconstruct the floundering economy with $4.3 billion of promised foreign aid. IBK’s position is equally ambiguous when it comes to the thorny question of the 2012 coup that mired Mali in its current mess — and its chief architect, Captain Amadou Sanogo. During his presidential campaign, Keita avoided outright condemnation of the coup, stressing instead the weak nature of Touré’s administration. His candidacy was endorsed by Mali’s powerful military junta, and by Sanogo himself, who jumped back into the spotlight Wednesday when interim President Dioncounda Traoré promoted him to general.
Troubling alliances aside, Keita will be taking office on September 19 under the best of conditions: international legitimacy, compliant opposition, and a strong mandate. His first test will be his choice of cabinet and whether it reflects the political cronyism that’s characterized previous administrations. Though known for his uncompromising stances (when he takes them), Keita is also viewed as a team player and a pragmatist. So it’s a good bet that Tiébilé Dramé, former co-candidate and key negotiator with northern rebels, will have a role to play. As for the rest, Keita is keeping mum, telling a French daily: “Don’t expect any names or secrets from me. All I can say is that it will be a solid government.” Some two million Malian voters are hoping he keeps his word.
