Yesterday, Mali held the first round of its presidential elections. I have not yet seen results, and I know that many analysts expect the contest to go to a second round on August 11.
I am most interested in two issues connected to the vote. First, the issue of refugees: see here and here on refugees and the elections, and here on the separate (but no less important) trend of refugees beginning to return to Mali. Second, the issue of Kidal, a northern Malian city whose administrative status was a point of contention during the pre-electoral period between the Malian government and Tuareg-led separatist National Movement for the Liberation of the Azawad (MNLA).
What is your view of yesterday’s vote? Are you hearing any results? What from the coverage has struck you?
Sahel Blog 
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The BBC has a brief look at the two run-off contenders for the presidency. Cisse might be correct about fraud, no way to say. I’m certain that France doesn’t want there to be fraud, they want to get out of this potentially explosive situation as soon as they can.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-23653740
Thanks for posting this.