Regional elections in Mali would now be held in April of next year to enable the government enough time to address concerns of some armed groups.
The government in a statement on Monday said state officials met former rebel groups and pro-government factions who had “concerns” with the timing of the elections initially scheduled to take place on December 17.
The statement said “In order to allow all those concerned to have time for the necessary discussion and to resolve the issues raised, it would appear necessary to delay the date of the elections”.
The armed groups, the ex-rebels of the Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA) and pro-government fighters known as the Platform both agreed on a roadmap to peace with the government in 2015.
That peace deal was to ensure that there was national unity after a 2012 separatist uprising in the north which was followed by a jihadist insurgency.
Municipal elections in Mali were held in November last year after several delays for the sake of security.
Mali continues to experience attacks creating insecurity in parts of the country.
Source: Africafeeds.com
