Brussels, 19 August 2013/ ACP: The Secretary-General of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States H.E Alahaji Muhammad Mumuni expressed delight at the smooth conduct of the two Presidential election rounds held in Mali on 28 July and 11 August 2013. The just ended electoral process in Mali which he described as transparent, credible, peaceful and democratic and was testified to by all the national and international observers, illustrates the entrenchment of democratic values in the ACP Group and the Group’s commitment to these values.

The Secretary-General was convinced that the election of a new President of the Republic will make a decisive contribution to the smooth implementation of the reconciliation and dialogue process initiated in Mali after a long period of politico-military crisis and will further galvanise the commitment of the international community for the reconstruction of Mali.

The Secretary-General addressed his most heartfelt congratulations to the President elect of the Republic of Mali, Mr. Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, on his electoral victory and wished him success in the performance of his future functions.

The Secretary-General also commended the other presidential candidate, Mr. Soumaïla Cissé, for his brilliant and dynamic electoral campaign and for conceding victory to his opponent, as a proof of his commitment to republican and democratic values.

The Secretary-General also wishes to express his admiration for and appreciation to H.E. Mr. Dioncounda Traoré, Interim President of the Republic of Mali, for his courage, self-denial and successful conduct of the transition of his country to the benefit of the entire nation of Mali, more particularly the exemplarity of the elections that requires special mention due to the tight deadlines to be met and the conditions in which they were held.

The Secretary-General finally paid homage to the public-spiritedness of the people of Mali for overcoming the various traumatic upheavals caused by the recent politico-military crisis in order to take up their responsibilités by choosing a leader to preside over the destinies of the Malian nation for the years ahead.

The Secretary-General of the ACP Group hopes that this Presidential election will mark the rebirth of a proud, united and prosperous Mali.

(Photo: Mali's new president, H.E Mr Ibrahim Boubacar Keita/ Photo by IBK2013 campaign)

– ACP PAHD