Mali adopts new constitution after president's promulgation

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) — Mali's junta leader Col. Goita Assimi on Saturday promulgated the new country's new constitution following a referendum last month, his office announced.

The promulgation of the new constitution in the official gazette by Goita came a day after Mali's Constitutional Court endorsed the final results of the referendum on a draft constitution.

Putting the new constitution into effect, the move thus marks the beginning of Fourth Republic in the West African nation, the presidency said.

Up to 96.91% voted in favor of the constitutional changes in the June 18 referendum with a turnout of 38%, according to electoral authorities.

Since taking power in an August 2020 coup, Mali's military has maintained that the constitution would be critical to rebuilding the country.

In validating the final results of the referendum, the court rejected opposition views calling for results' annulment on claims of "irregularities and lack of voting in several parts of the country."

Mali witnessed two subsequent coups in recent years, one in August 2020 and the other in May 2021.

The junta had initially promised to hold elections in February 2022, but later delayed them to February 2024.