Presidential Elections in Mali, Iran and Zimbabwe

Mali

            Mali conducted its first presidential elections since the military coup in 2012 and since the Malian government, aided by an international coalition led by the French, regained control from al-Qaeda and other Islamist rebels in the breakaway northern part of the country in the Sahara Desert earlier this year.  The elections marked a successful return to democracy.

            The turnout was reportedly low in northern Mali where there remains strong sentiment among the Tuaregs for succession.  There were reports that Tuaregs threatened citizens not to vote.

Iran

            Iranians chose the least hard-line Islamist candidate for president among the pool of candidates allowed by the theocratic mullahs.  The results suggest the economic sanctions that have been imposed on Iran because of its nuclear weapons program are having some effect, as the sanctions were one of the campaign issues.  However, Iran’s policy is not likely to change significantly.

Zimbabwe 

           As happens every time there is a presidential election in Zimbabwe, long-time dictator Robert Mugabe officially wins a majority of the vote amidst widespread allegations of fraud committed by his government.  The international community seems to tolerate human rights violations in the racist, failed socialist state that has been suffering from hyperinflation.