In 2013, Morocco placed a wager on Ibrahim Boubace Keïta, who, at the moment, was running for the presidential elections in Mali. Five years later, drawing lessons from the past, distanced itself from the Malian politicians competing to head the West African country. Twenty-four hours after the Mali Presidential election took place, Malians are waiting for preliminary estimates, including the voter turnout. Official results will be released on Friday, August the 3rd. Meanwhile, both parties claim that they are victorious. Those supporting the current president Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, announced that he «is leading the vote» and that he «is in a good position to win». On the other hand, those close to Soumaïla Cissé, Malian politician who served in the government of Mali as Minister of Finance from 1993 to 2000, believe that he would become the country's 7th president. The opposition leader's campaign director says that, like 2013, a second round will probably take place in mid-August. This step worries Keita's partisans. Indeed, they fear that the 22 other candidates would support Cissé. Election in Mali Malians are not the only ones that are interested in the country's presidential election. The political event is closely followed by states inside and outside the region, such as France and the United States. But what about Morocco ? Contacted by Yabiladi, Ali Ansari, president of the Timbuktu Institute, believes that «Rabat has not yet decided on a state strategy regarding Mali». For him, «there are some initiatives that are conducted by certain centers of power but not Morocco». During the term of Keïta, relations between Morocco and Mali had ups and downs. «In 2013, the Malian former finance minister was told that he was a persona non grata in Morocco. On the other hand, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta was able to visit the country, officially invited by the Kingdom's Socialist Union of Popular Forces party», explains the expert. «At the time, Morocco has put all its eggs in Keïta's basket with the results that we all know about now», he added. «Despite this mistake, Rabat still has a chance to gain power in the Malian scene. Unlike Keïta, Soumaïla Cissé is much more focused on economy than on security issues. He is a pragmatic politician. A quality that could push him to get closer to the kingdom and its investments in Africa». Ali Ansari But it is not only Morocco that has a particular interest in the Mali presidential election. Mauritania and Algeria have clearly chosen to support Keïta's bid. «The Mauritanian head of state has offered the man his plane, to use it while traveling along the country. This sparked tension in the presidential camp», said Ali Ansari.
