Mali’s next President faces the huge challenge of putting the country back on the rails.

Both Malians and the international community can now heave a sigh of relief that the August 11, 2013 second round presidential election between former Prime Minister, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and ex-Finance Minister, Soumaïla Cissé, passed off peacefully and with a large turnout.  A new Parliament was elected following the general elections of July 28, 2013.

Even before the official results were made known, Soumaïla Cissé on August 12, 2013 conceded defeat and congratulated Keita on his victory. This paves way for Mali to once more join the international comity of nations. However, the task ahead of President-elect Ibrahim Boubacar Keita promises to be difficult, but not insurmountable.

Peace, Security

Perhaps, the greatest challenge for the new administration is that of restoring peace and security all over the vast country. Islamist rebels were no doubt chased from northern towns last January by French troops backed by their African and Malian counterparts. But the rebels, though defeated, are not yet done with. Some of them have taken refuge in mountainous border regions with Algeria and Mauritania and are still capable of launching hit and run attacks. A lasting solution to the conflict might be to engage these rebels – all with different agenda – in peace talks. The role of the U.N. peacekeeping mission in restoring peace and stability will be key to any success. Rebels who are willing to lay down their arms and join the peace process might need to be engaged in a Demobilisation, Disarmament and Reintegration, DDR programme. Such a process might also include undisciplined members of the military that the new authorities might want to demobilise.   

Reconciliation, Reconstruction

Prior to the July 28, 2013 general elections, the Malian government and Tuareg rebels in the northern town of Kidal committed to a lasting peace process, even after the polls. Such dialogue, including other stakeholders, should hopefully bring lasting reconciliation to the nation torn apart by over one and half years of insurgency. Also, the March 22, 2012 coup by Captain Amadou Haya Sanogo that put an end to 20 years of democracy. It is only after such peace and reconciliation are achieved that effective reconstruction can begin. Fortunately, the international community earlier this year raised about FCFA 1,984 billion to assist in reconstruction. 

Military Cohesion, Restructuring

The conflict in Mali was exacerbated by divisions within the army, especially between the Red Berets who led the coup and the Green Berets who did not only remain loyal to ousted President Amadou Toumani Touré, but later tried to stage a counter coup. Even though Captain Sanogo recently apologised to the nation for the coup, thereby brokering some kind of reconciliation between the two bickering sides, it remains to be seen how they work together as one coherent force capable of handling rebel threats.  Given the recent goings-on in the military, the new government might also consider restructuring it to make it more professional.

IDPs, Refugees

One of the consequences of the conflict was the movement of large numbers of Internally-displaced People, IDPs and refugees who were sent fleeing into neighbouring countries. Creating a conducive environment for all these people to return home will not only give a sense of stability, but will also ensure that full-scale agricultural activities resume in a region often plagued by food shortages as a result of the harsh climatic conditions and recurrent conflicts.

Economy, Democratic Consolidation

It is no gainsaying revamping the economy after the conflict is a must for the new administration if peace, security and stability are to be guaranteed. The success of any government policies inevitably hinges on how well the economy does. All of this will build up to ensuring that Mali - once the region's democratic model - gets back on the rails to guarantee the stability of new democratic institutions.