Post by dustdevil28 on May 25, 2013 12:11:25 GMT -8
He was already a mayor, and could be elected President.
Wow.
.............................
His first encounter with Mormonism took place in 1985, when he started working for the Ouéléssébougou-Utah Alliance, an charitable organization based in Utah designed to improve health, education, and economic opportunities in Mali.
He met a Mormon couple from Colorado, Jeff and Gretchen Winston. They were so impressed by his work ethic and devotion that they sponsored him to study in US. After finishing his studies, Samaké converted to Mormonism, married, and settled in Utah.
“What I saw in the Mormon faith was a strong sense for community building,” he offers, “As a social entrepreneur, I found strength in my faith. Today my faith will help me become Mali’s next president.” The 44-year-old social entrepreneur has a fair chance. He comes from a well-known political family. His time abroad has caused some voters to frown, but supporters say Samake’s willingness to leave a comfortable life in the US to come home and rebuild his country shows care and mettle.
When elected mayor Samaké quickly set out to transform Ouéléssébougou, transforming it from one of the most mismanaged and politically corrupt villages in Mali to one of relative social reform.
His charity, a $500,000-a-year foundation called “Empower Mali,” brought education programs, health improvements and even solar energy panels to Ouéléssébougou.
The charity also gave him national recognition – a reputation as a doer.
“When others talk about politics, I act,” Samaké says.
Will a can-do reputation make up for a lack of a broader political base?
Samake isn't concerned, and prefers to just plow ahead: “Mali now has the opportunity to change the old leadership, [that is] stalled by corruption, and [together we can] show the world that Mali is a secular nation that embraces all religions,” adding, “And what better way to do that than by electing a Mormon?”
Whether elections scheduled for July will even come off on time, is unclear. Bamako is in a state of post-coup, post-military intervention political confusion. Preparations for the vote are way behind schedule. Western governments are keen to see elections happen on time, but diplomats doubt they can be held on time. The election date has already been pushed forward once.
The United Nations, which has just authorized a peacekeeping mission of 12,600 African troops, wants a partner in place when they arrive beginning of July. Yet half a million people from the north are still displaced in the south, or in neighboring countries.
The European Union and the US are tying free and fair elections to a resumption of delivery of some forms of aid, even as suicide attacks and the presence of Islamist cells threatens the fragile peace.
Samaké, like the other presidential candidates, stresses that elections should be held on time. “With no real leadership in place the country cannot move forward. At this point it’s not a question of whether or not every Malian will be able to vote, at this point even an imperfect election is better than no election at all."
RECOMMENDED: Think you know Africa? Take our geography quiz.
news.yahoo.com/mormon-makes-bid-lead-muslim-majority-mali-post-191208877.html
Wow.
.............................
His first encounter with Mormonism took place in 1985, when he started working for the Ouéléssébougou-Utah Alliance, an charitable organization based in Utah designed to improve health, education, and economic opportunities in Mali.
He met a Mormon couple from Colorado, Jeff and Gretchen Winston. They were so impressed by his work ethic and devotion that they sponsored him to study in US. After finishing his studies, Samaké converted to Mormonism, married, and settled in Utah.
“What I saw in the Mormon faith was a strong sense for community building,” he offers, “As a social entrepreneur, I found strength in my faith. Today my faith will help me become Mali’s next president.” The 44-year-old social entrepreneur has a fair chance. He comes from a well-known political family. His time abroad has caused some voters to frown, but supporters say Samake’s willingness to leave a comfortable life in the US to come home and rebuild his country shows care and mettle.
When elected mayor Samaké quickly set out to transform Ouéléssébougou, transforming it from one of the most mismanaged and politically corrupt villages in Mali to one of relative social reform.
His charity, a $500,000-a-year foundation called “Empower Mali,” brought education programs, health improvements and even solar energy panels to Ouéléssébougou.
The charity also gave him national recognition – a reputation as a doer.
“When others talk about politics, I act,” Samaké says.
Will a can-do reputation make up for a lack of a broader political base?
Samake isn't concerned, and prefers to just plow ahead: “Mali now has the opportunity to change the old leadership, [that is] stalled by corruption, and [together we can] show the world that Mali is a secular nation that embraces all religions,” adding, “And what better way to do that than by electing a Mormon?”
Whether elections scheduled for July will even come off on time, is unclear. Bamako is in a state of post-coup, post-military intervention political confusion. Preparations for the vote are way behind schedule. Western governments are keen to see elections happen on time, but diplomats doubt they can be held on time. The election date has already been pushed forward once.
The United Nations, which has just authorized a peacekeeping mission of 12,600 African troops, wants a partner in place when they arrive beginning of July. Yet half a million people from the north are still displaced in the south, or in neighboring countries.
The European Union and the US are tying free and fair elections to a resumption of delivery of some forms of aid, even as suicide attacks and the presence of Islamist cells threatens the fragile peace.
Samaké, like the other presidential candidates, stresses that elections should be held on time. “With no real leadership in place the country cannot move forward. At this point it’s not a question of whether or not every Malian will be able to vote, at this point even an imperfect election is better than no election at all."
RECOMMENDED: Think you know Africa? Take our geography quiz.
news.yahoo.com/mormon-makes-bid-lead-muslim-majority-mali-post-191208877.html
