Mali presidential candidates prepare for run-off on Sunday

Two veterans of Malian politics face off on Sunday in the second round of a presidential election intended to turn the page on months of unrest after a coup, Islamist insurgency and French military intervention.

The vote, the first since 2007, is seen as critical to unlocking more than $4bn in aid promised after international donors halted contributions in the wake of the military mutiny in March last year.

Former prime minister Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and ex-finance minister Soumaila Cisse go into the run-off after none of the 27 candidates achieved an outright majority in the first round on 28 July.