AFRICA/MALI - “These elections are a sign of democratic vitality however more effort must be made to bring the people closer to politics” says President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Mali

Bamako (Agenzia Fides)- “These elections are a sign of democratic vitality however more effort must be made to help people understand what democracy is and what it means to vote. It will be a long term undertaking but I am confident about the future of the country” said Bishop Jean-Gabriel Diarra of the diocese of San and President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Mali where presidential elections will he held, tomorrow Sunday April 29.
“With regard to the electoral campaign I noted a difference between how the elections are presented by the media, TV especially and how the electoral process is perceived by the people ” Bishop Diarra told Fides. “Expressions such as “free and transparent elections” for most people, especially those in rural areas, are abstract words difficult to understand” the Bishops said. “Aware of this the presidential candidates based their electoral campaign in promises to build roads and aqueducts”.
“Undoubtedly important necessary works. However it remains to be seen how these promises will be kept and with what funds” Bishop Diarra remarks. “My concern is that the candidates have said nothing about what sort of society must be built in Mali, nothing about long term prospects. I realise however that even the most advanced democracies these sort of questions are difficult to tackle”.
“I think however that the level of instruction of the people must be raised and the education system improved so that, on a long term basis, it is possible to raise the level of political debate and create a more advanced democracy. I am also confident that this is possible ” the Bishop concluded.
On the eve of the vote the Bishops issued a statement warning the people not to give in to a sense of mistrust in the vote, but to go to place their ballots.
Among the 8 candidates outgoing president Amadou Toumani Touré whose re-election is taken for certain by most local and international observers and for the first time in the history of Mali a woman is standing for president: Aminata Sidibé a university teacher presented an electoral programme based in environment protection.
Other issues treated in the electoral campaign included emigration towards Europe and the future of the cotton industry, badly affected by both recent drought and trade agreements with Mali's economic partners, especially the European Union. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 28/4/2007 righe 40 parole 477)