Malian Presidential Candidate Haïdara Aïssata Cissé Campaigns on the Streets

The presidential election in Mali is close and the candidates are focusing their energies on conducting rallies in large stadiums and visiting their elders to ask for support. However, Haïdara Aïssata Cissé decided to do the campaign her own way. Cissé, famously known as “Chato” decided to do a walkabout on the streets of Bamako, the capital of Mali. Aside from being the only female in the presidential race, she is also the only candidate to include a visit to the old business district to personally meet people.

Chato walks the streets of Bamako

As Cissé walked the streets filled with low-rise stalls and fresh produce that lay on the ground, her name was being chanted as a form of greeting and welcome. According to Cissé, it was the first time for the inhabitants of Bamako, Mali’s largest urban center, to see a politician in person. She saw for herself how excited people were to see someone running for president approach them as she did.

One of them

The 45-year old Cissé believes she has a high chance of winning the presidency. She has been vigorously campaigning and conducting walkabouts here and there to tell the people of Mali that she is willing to listen. She wants them to know that she will help them rise from the woes brought about by economic instability. The walking around is paying off. Reports show that her popularity rose because of the walkabouts. She also has the full support of women’s groups in Mali.

Cissé is considered to be an outcast from among the 27 presidential candidates, being a former travel agent. Nevertheless, her determination to uplift the welfare of women and the country as a whole makes her one of the top contenders.

The siege

Six months have passed since France intervened and used military force to help its former colony relieve itself of the Islamic militants who subjected some parts of the country to Sharia law. Even though the capital of Bamako was not occupied, the overall economy of the country remains on thin ice. The past 18 months have been hard.

The upcoming presidential election was imposed on Mali by the international community in order for a new government to gain some traction. Some believe that Mali is not ready for such a huge undertaking. If something goes wrong with the presidential election that is scheduled on Sunday, a second round will be held on August 11.

A united and strong Mali

Mali has always been dependent on western support for its educational and welfare needs. As of the moment, Malians are more concerned about ensuring safety and security along its borders with the aid of France as well as the United Nations than resolving internal issues like women’s welfare and proper education for children. According to UNICEF a total of 2.2 million people in Mali defecate in the field, a million boys and girls are out of school and 90% of women in the country are subject to abuse and mutilation based on traditional beliefs. There are many issues to be dealt with. Although presidential candidates have their own intentions they still share one goal, and that is to work for a united and strong Mali.

Photo Credit: Haïdara Aïssata Cissé on Facebook