Mali’s ruling military junta on Friday announced that a referendum on a new constitution will be held on June 18, reported Reuters.
The referendum, which was initially scheduled for March 19, is likely to pave the way for presidential elections next year that will restore democracy in the West African country after two military takeovers since August 2020.
Government spokesperson Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga made the announcement on state television on Friday.
“The electoral college is convened on Sunday, June 18, 2023, throughout the national territory and in the diplomatic and consular missions of the Republic of Mali to vote on the draft Constitution attached to this decree,” Maiga said.
He said Mali’s people will be asked if they approve of the draft constitution to which they will have to respond by a yes or a no. Members of the security forces of the country will vote early on June 11.
The referendum was delayed in March as nearly no arrangements had been made for the vote and the draft constitution was only handed over to interim president and coup leader Assimi Goita on February 27.
Mali has witnessed two coups since August 2020, mainly due to the failure of authorities to control a violent Islamist insurgency that has spread through West Africa over the past decade.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) lifted a set of trade and financial sanctions against Mali in July after the military junta committed to a March 2024 handover.
The bloc imposed the sanctions in January 2022 when Mali’s military government said it was considering remaining in power for up to five years. Presidential elections are now scheduled to take place in February 2024.
The draft constitution significantly concentrates the power in the hands of the president. Under it, the president will have the power to appoint the prime minister and ministers and has the right to sack them as well as dissolve parliament.
