Bamako, Mali — Last minute campaigning, before Sundays presidential election in Mali, took on a distinctly carnival atmosphere on Friday. Tens of thousands of supporters, of some of the 24 candidates, took to the streets and packed out stadia all over the capital, Bamako. They waved party flags, banners and posters backing their favourite candidates, who appeared at public rallies for the last time before the presidential poll.
Official campaigning ended at midnight GMT on Friday, in line with electoral laws.
Overloaded vehicles, filled with supporters hanging out of windows and doors, charged up and down the main streets of the capital, hooting their horns in a display of friendly rivalry.
Groups of youths loudly chanted their candidates names and slogans, to try to drown out the opposing voices of party faithful spilling out of other minibuses on the opposite side of the road.
It appeared that the competing presidential contenders had bussed in an assortment of supporters, including many underage teenagers, not yet old enough to vote in the election on Sunday.
The 'T-shirt brigade was very much in evidence. These youths have gained the reputation of turning up at as many campaign rallies as they can to stock up on giveaways, including T-shirts, tea, sugar and crisp CFA currency notes, as well as anything else being distributed to entice potential voters.
Observers say the amount of money spent on the 2002 campaign has far exceeded anything Mali has known in the past.
The leading presidential candidates held their final rallies in the capital, after criss-crossing the vast nation in three weeks of election campaigning, which should end the ten year leadership of Alpha Oumar Konare.
The outgoing Malian president is stepping down after serving two 5 year terms. He is barred by the constitution from seeking a third mandate.
Earlier Friday, Malians congregated in their millions at mosques for the weekly main prayers. Islam is the predominant religion in the huge country, half of which is desert.
There was speculation about what the Imams, [Muslim religious leaders] would tell the worshippers in their Friday sermons. The issue of religion and Islam has played a significant role in the lead-up to the presidential election in Mali.
Earlier this week, in a controversial and contested move, the influential collective of 20 Islamic associations endorsed the candidature of the former prime minister, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, known by his initials, IBK. Keita broke away from Konares Adema party and formed his own, taking with him several of the barons of the governing party.
Other Muslim groups have declared themselves neutral and apolitical, disputing the suggestion that the powerful Islamic collective represents Malis Muslims and criticizing its decision to call on all Muslims to vote for IBK.
The Malian Association for the unity and progress of Islam, Amupi, established in 1980 and widely respected for its representative nature, has urged Malians to vote for the candidate of their choice.
The private daily New Horizon newspaper questioned the choice of IBK over other candidates, whom many Muslims feel might be better suited as an Islamic presidential choice, if the defence of Islamic values are indeed at issue.
The paper, and others, point to Mountaga Tall, who comes from a traditional religious Muslim family or Modibo Sangare, an Islamic activist, two of the 24 presidential contenders.
Critics of IBK argue that, if anything, in his six years as prime minister, Islam suffered in Mali. They mention, among other factors, the growth of casinos and lotteries under Keitas watch and complain that Mali has bent double to ensure its secular status at the expense of Islam.
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All sorts of interpretations of the Imams sermons were circulating around Bamako on Friday afternoon after prayers. Some thought the religious leaders had hinted that they should vote for IBK. Others told reporters they were sure the Imams, like most voters, just wanted a calm, peaceful and successful election in which the best candidate would win and proceed to govern Mali well.
'Beware of politicians who are trying to buy your vote with talk of religion appears to be the consensus among many Muslims and non-Muslims who are going to vote for their new president on Sunday.
If no candidate gains 50% of the votes needed for an outright win in the first round, a run-off is scheduled for 12 May.
