Crisis in Mali: Ambivalent Popular Attitudes on the Way Forward

This article asks what Malians think about their country’s political crisis, including its causes, status, and possible solutions. An Afrobarometer survey of public opinion conducted at the end of 2012 finds the electorate in an apprehensive and ambivalent mood. Malians express declining faith in de...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Massa Coulibaly, Michael Bratton
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Centre for Security Governance 2013-07-01
Series:Stability : International Journal of Security and Development
Online Access:http://www.stabilityjournal.org/article/view/114
Description
Summary:This article asks what Malians think about their country’s political crisis, including its causes, status, and possible solutions. An Afrobarometer survey of public opinion conducted at the end of 2012 finds the electorate in an apprehensive and ambivalent mood. Malians express declining faith in democracy as well as considerable (but diminishing) trust in the army. In a sign of democratic resilience, however, a large and broad majority continues to believe in elections as the best way to reconstitute a government. But only in the context of a stable and intact state – with an inclusive constitutional settlement, trustworthy civilian institutions, and engaged citizenry – will Mali be ready again for routine presidential and legislative elections.
ISSN:2165-2627