Mali postpones constitutional referendum

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) - The military government in Mali announced Friday the postponement of a constitutional referendum scheduled for March 19.

“The date of the referendum planned under the political, institutional and electoral reforms of the transition will be slightly postponed. A new date will be set after consultation with the independent electoral management authority and other actors,” according to a statement by government spokesman Col. Abdoulaye Maiga.

Mali witnessed two subsequent coups in August 2020 and in May 2021.

The junta initially promised to hold elections in February 2022 but that was later changed.

The referendum is the first step to pave the way for presidential elections in February 2024 to return power to civilian rule.

Maiga said the postponement was necessary to enable the installation of officials to the independent electoral body across administrative regions as well as popularize the draft constitution.

He said the government remained committed to return power to democratic governance in 2024.

The transition government reassured that “return to constitutional order, after carrying out the necessary reforms remains one of absolute priorities.”

The commission charged with producing a new Constitution handed over a draft constitution last month to transition military leader Col. Assimi Goïta.

Goita said the draft "undoubtedly restores national hope for the establishment of a true democracy."