Malians prepare for presidential vote amid violence

People in Mali prepare to go to the polls in a presidential election months after the start of French war on the African country.

Bamako is under pressure from foreign countries to hold the vote on July 28, but many believe that due to poor preparations, it could lead to more instability.

A number of electoral officials have been kidnapped just days before the election, highlighting insecurity ahead of the polls.

After last year’s military coup which rattled the West African nation and threw it into crisis, France invaded Mali in January this year under the pretext of halting the advance of local militants.

The war sparked a humanitarian crisis, leading to the displacement of thousands of people.

France launched the war on January 11, under the pretext of halting the advance of rebel fighters in the country. The war has caused a serious humanitarian crisis in northern areas of Mali and has displaced thousands of people who now live in deplorable conditions.

France’s Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian reaffirmed in April that the country would keep hundreds of troops in Mali even after the arrival of thousands of UN peacekeepers later this year.