Mali: coronavirus researcher running for parliament

A scientific researcher who is working on a way to stop the coronavirus pandemic has announced he will also stand in Mali’s parliamentary elections on Sunday. 

38-year-old Amadou Kone told reporters that between lab tests and election campaigning, he currently only gets about three hours sleep a night. 

Mr Kone is one of 13 scientists working at a laboratory which tests and studies samples of viruses. He also teaches medical students. 

He is running on behalf of the Republican Movement, a small political party established in 2014. 

This week, President Keïta said that the elections will be held on Sunday as scheduled, despite the spread of coronavirus. They have already been postponed several times due to insurgency by Islamist militants in the north of the country.

On the suggestion of postponing elections, Mr Kone said: 

“Each time that these elections have been scheduled, they've been cancelled. This time they have to take place! Even with the coronavirus, when people go to the polling station, they will respect social distancing”.

Mali has so far confirmed two cases of the coronavirus - both nationals who had recently returned from France. 

Photo: AFP