Policy Memo

Introduction

The election is the means by which citizens are free to designate their representatives in a democratic system. It assumes the existence of a framework and rules to ensure all stakeholders can freely exercise of their rights. It is also structured and dictated by the definition of roles and responsibilities of different actors involved in the process. In Mali, the introduction of multiparty saw the birth of several political parties and the organization of several elections (Pattillo, Gupta and Carey p. 54). Today, democratic practice involves all stakeholders and parties having policies that are at the beginning and the end of any electoral process. A permanent framework for consultation and support for political parties is highly needed so that political parties can perform their roles accurately. This contribution will help to consolidate democracy in Mali.

This policy memo provides my recommendations regarding the domestic affairs of Mali from the view point of a senior advisor of an NGO. This policy memo also determines the fundamental obstacles in the political and electoral system in Mali. The policy recommendations provided in this memo are based on an in depth country study of Mali. A brief evolution of the republic provides the basis of these recommendations. The political system has been discussed critically examining the current political system of the country.

Political Evolution of Mali

In September 1960, France granted independence to the republic of Mali. From 1960 to 1968, the country was ruled by Modibo Keita, head of the party Sudanese Union. He established close relations with the USSR and the socialist countries in general and declared domestic policy goal of building socialism with Malian specificity. In 1962, the ruling and only party of Mali announced its ideological basis of Marxism-Leninism (Bingen, James, Robinson and Staatz, p. 16).

Country's economic situation deteriorated, marked by decreased production of export goods. The majority of enterprises of the public sector proved unprofitable. The content of the state apparatus absorbed 80% of the budget. The state of working people got worse. The government and the parties disagreed, with leftists demanding to follow down the communist path, called moderates to the privatization of unprofitable state-owned enterprises, the abolition of the monopoly of foreign trade, attracting Western capital and expansion of economic relations with capitalist countries (African Economic Outlook 2009).

In November 1968, Modibo Keita overthrew the military group led by Lieutenant Colonel Moussa Traoré , who professed a more pragmatic approach, continuing to use the services of the socialist countries, but also actively cooperating with the West. In 1979, Traoré created his own party - the Democratic Union of Malian People, and introduced a new constitution (unlike the previous constitution in 1960. This constitution guaranteed the freedom of enterprise and private property rights, held parliamentary and presidential elections, as a result of which the country's president was appointed (Ibp Usa p. 34). In March 1991, President Traore was overthrown in a military coup, Colonel Amadou Toure. Were dissolved parliament, banned party Democratic Union of Malian People, and introduced ...