Mali's ruling junta has announced a delay in the scheduled February presidential election, which aimed to restore civilian leadership in the West African nation, facing the threat of insurgency.

The two election rounds, originally planned for February 4 and 18, 2024, will be postponed for technical reasons, as per government spokesperson Abdoulaye Maiga.

These reasons pertain to issues related to the recent adoption of a new constitution and a review of voter lists.

Additionally, a dispute with the French company Idemia, involved in the census process, was mentioned. Maiga stated that the new dates for the presidential election will be communicated at a later time.

Since 2012, Mali has been battling an insurgency that has since spread to Burkina Faso and Niger, killing and displacing thousands of people.

It is worth noting that Mali approved a new constitution in June, which made the French language a working language instead of an official one.

The big picture

As the Malian state gets ready to hold elections for the first time since a coup overthrew former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in 2020, experts say the downgrade, although symbolic, reflects the country's decolonial objectives.

Of course, the #French intervention in #Africa, precisely #Mali, isn't to fight terrorism but to do what #France does best; stealing the wealth of the country. pic.twitter.com/ijopkFEOdu

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) February 18, 2022

As anti-colonial sentiments grew in the region, French troops, stationed in Mali under the pretext of the war against terrorism, were withdrawn from the country. France's ambassador was expelled and French-funded NGOs were banned. Mali is now cooperating with Russia, as the latter pledged to provide economic assistance to these nations.