BAMAKO: Malians vote on Sunday in a referendum to alter the country’s constitution, which the ruling military junta and regional powers say would open the door to elections and the restoration of civilian authority.
Under pressure from the West African regional body ECOWAS, the junta, which took control in coups in 2020 and 2021, pledged to hold the vote as part of a transition to democracy.
Some of the amendments to the committee-drafted constitution are divisive with supporters saying they would reinforce flimsy political institutions while detractors claiming they will give the president too much authority.
However, given that Islamist extremists are speeding up their assaults, regional organisations and the UN consider the vote as a crucial test of the junta’s commitment to the transition and to holding a national democratic process.
In a televised address on Friday, interim president Assimi Goita stated, “With this project, we are betting on the future of our state, the restoration of its authority, and the regained trust between institutions and citizens.”
He continued, donning his signature beret and military fatigues: “Now is the time to confirm our commitment to the new Mali.”
Supporters of the draught say it would strengthen democracy and heal rifts by integrating revisions that have been suggested in previous unsuccessful attempts to amend the constitution, such as the formation of a second legislative chamber to increase representation from all of Mali.
Mali would comply with a West African Economic and Monetary Union rule from 2000 with the planned creation of a special court of auditors for public spending.
However, several opposition parties, pro-democracy organisations, and supporters of the “No” vote argue that the junta and other non-democratically elected institutions have no business overseeing such a significant constitutional reform.
They assert that the proposed constitution gives the president undue power, including control over the legislative process.
“I support a constitutional amendment, but not this referendum. We should have done better, according to lawyer Fousseini Ag Yehia, who spoke on Saturday in the capital Bamako about the credibility of the actors and the process.
Within 72 hours following the election, preliminary results are anticipated. The next presidential election will take place in February 2024.
