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<zksmith@email.unc.edu> The West African nation of Mali is currently embarking on its second set of multi-party elections. The first occurred in 1992 following a mass movement for democratization that was successful in overthrowing the military regime that had ruled the country for 23 years. One of Africa's poorest nations, Mali has astounded observers by its ability to maintain a democratic government over the past five years in spite of considerable challenges. While moves to democracy stalled or were reversed in other African countries like Niger, Zaire, Nigeria, the Gambia, etc. Mali has remained committed to democratic forms of government. Last Sunday, April 13, the first round of legislative elections took place but irregularities of a technical nature led virtually all of the opposition parties to call for cancellation of these elections and rescheduling of the presidential elections which are supposed to take place on May 4. Meanwhile an international observer team has certified that in spite of some technical problems, (voter registration cards and lists that were incomplete or inaccurate, lack of official ballots at a number of polling places, polling places that opened late or not at all) the election was conducted freely and without fraud. Preliminary reports indicate that the ruling party, ADEMA, has done as well or better than expected in the first round of polling. Wednesday, April 16, the opposition parties organized a march, in the capital Bamako, to protest the election irregularities and to press their demands for a repeat of the first round. The march was prohibited by the government and street clashes ensued yesterday morning between opposition supporters and the police. There were a dozen injuries from tear gas and rubber bullets, including one opposition parties' candidate for president who was treated and released from a Bamako hospital. The opposition seems determined to continue pressing for its demands but in light of the international observer team's judgment it is unlikely that the ruling party will repeal the election results. The situation is sure to evolve, and hopefully further conflict can be avoided. If you would like updated information, feel free to contact me.
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