36. As Mali Wars With Islamists, a Mormon Runs for President

http://world.time.com/2013/05/02/a-mormon-president-in-mali-an-unusual-candidate-steps-up-in-bamako/

Niankoro Yeah Samake is trying to become a candidate in Mali’s presidential election. The interesting aspect about Samake is that nearly ten years ago, he became a Mormon. Samake and his family are said to be Mali’s only Mormons. He has two difficult challenges in Mali, running for president in a country that is 95% Muslim and a nation weakened by corruption. Some wonder why Samake would even try to become Mali’s president. He is a social entrepreneur, he is close to getting an American citizenship, and he has led a successful charity in Utah for 13 years. Mali is a corrupt nation with terrorist, drug trafficking, and all sorts of crime. Referring to the Islamist militias in Mali Samake says, ““The government failed the people, so the people turned to the religious groups that filled the gaps… Any nation that fails its people opens itself up to that kind of vulnerability, and we need to change that in Mali.” Samake seems to have an alright chance. He comes from a well known family, but time in the U.S. alienates him from voters. However, Samake says that he left his life in the U.S. to help rebuild Mali as his charity has been doing. He is uncomfortable when compared to Mitt Romney. Samake “does not want his campaign to be reduced to his religion.” He actually found it surprising and petty that Americans focused more on Romney’s religion rather than his policies. Samake hopes that Malians “…won’t vote for me because of my religion, but because I have a burning desire to transform my country into one of the most productive in the world.” It is not clear when the elections will take place. The nation has been in turmoil yet citizens still hope to get a hold of things. Many believe that it is now or never. Mali may never get to the point where there can be ideal voting conditions. “It is more important to have these elections in July than answering the question of whether or not every Malian will be able to vote. It does not have to be the most perfect election to serve the purpose of forming a government that is legitimate,” Samake says. Many in Mali are ready for a fresh start.

Author Aryn Baker informs readers on the happenings in Mali. Baker creates an interesting title when simply putting “Islamist” and “Mormon” in the title. The two religions seem a bit odd together which grabs the reader’s interest. The article starts with describing Samake going home from the U.S. to a predominantly Muslim nation. Baker gives the reader a look on Samake’s investment in charity and some of his personal life. Past incidents are brought up and so are current political worries. There are also quotes from Samake scattered throughout the article. Baker includes the parallels between Mormon presidential candidate Romney and Mali’s Mormon candidate.