Comment by the Information and Press Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia regarding the results of presidential elections in the Republic of Mali

On the 15 August, the official results of the presidential elections in Mali were announced in Bamako. The leader of Rally for Mali, former Prime Minister of Mali Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta convincingly won the election with 77.61% of the votes in the second round.

Moscow welcomes the successful elections of the head of the Malian state and takes note of their democratic nature. This event opens up the path for further reconstruction of the constitutional order, legitimate authorities, as well as the renewal of the progressive social and economic development in Mali, which was interrupted by a deep internal political crisis.

We are convinced that with support of the elected president, traditional relations of friendship and mutual beneficial cooperation between Russia and Mali will continue their successful development in favour of our people, in the interests of stability and regional security.

15 August 2013