This Sunday, Mali’s citizens are voting in a referendum to approve a draft new constitution proposed by the ruling military junta. Some fear this is an indication that the military wants to remain in charge of the African country.
Since the August 2020 coup, Mali has been under military rule, ending a decade of instability marked by a jihadist insurgency as well as a political and economic crisis. Some 8.4 million citizens are called to vote for or against the constitutional draft. Polling stations opened at 08:00 GMT, and results are expected to be announced in 72 hours. Observers anticipate a “yes” victory, albeit with a low turnout.
This referendum marks the first electoral test for Colonel Assimi Goita, 40, who leads the country and has vowed to return power to civilians in 2024. The draft new constitution strengthens the role of the president, giving him the power to appoint and dismiss the prime minister and cabinet members. In addition, the government will be subordinate to the president instead of the parliament, as provided in the current 1992 Constitution.
The draft constitution also includes an amnesty provision for promoters of previous coups, which has generated speculation about the possible candidacy of Colonel Goita in future presidential elections. According to Brema Ely Dicko, a sociologist at the University of Bamako, opponents of these provisions believe that Goita will be a candidate in the 2024 elections.
In his last speech on Friday, Colonel Goita urged his fellow citizens to vote “massively” in favor of the new constitution, presenting it as a guarantee of a “strong state” and “democratic governance.” Mali has faced significant difficulties since 2012, when a separatist insurgency in the north joined with Al Qaeda-linked Islamist groups and took control of vast areas of the territory. France, the former colonial power, intervened militarily to help repel the Islamists, but attacks continued. Recently, Mali has broken its alliance with Paris in favor of Russia.
Controversial legislative elections in March 2020 and mass protests against a government unable to curb insurgency, corruption, and the economic crisis led to the August 2020 coup. Goita initially appointed an interim president, but subsequently ousted him in another coup in 2021 and proclaimed himself the country’s leader.