Over 12 presidential hopefuls have so far indicated their intention to run in next July’s poll.

As Mali looks forward to organising presidential elections next July, the number of hopefuls has continued to increase. Three new candidates over the weekend indicated their intention to stand, bringing the total now to over 12, Radio France Internationale, RFI reported yesterday, May 13, 2013.

More candidates are expected before the period for submission of papers runs out. In order to speed up the process, Mali’s Parliament last week amended the electoral law to ensure that the election goes ahead in July. The newcomers are Dr. Choguel Kokala Maïga, leader of the Patriotic Movement for Renewal, MPR and a former cabinet minister.

Mrs. Aïdara Aïchata Cissé, on the other hand, becomes the first ever Malian woman to run for the presidency. Currently a parliamentarian, Aïchata Cissé is well known for her defence of women, especially during the Islamic control of northern Mali. Assadeck Aboubacrine, a university lecturer from Timbuktu in the north, also joined the race. He is also member of the Network of the Disabled Associations of Mali. 

Among those who had earlier indicated their intention to run for Mali’s presidency is Niankoro Yeah Samake, a Mormon and social entrepreneur who lives in the US, Time magazine said. He has already begun raising funds in America for his campaign. Aged 44, Samake comes from a well-known political family in Mali. His charity work worth 500,000 US Dollars a year (about FCFA 253 million) delivers schools, education, solar energy and health care to his hometown of Ouélessébougou.  

It is not entirely clear if elections will take place as planned on July 7, 2013. Preparations have barely begun and there are still stretches of the country that remain out of government hands.