Malians Vote in Referendum on New Constitution

Facts

• Malians on Sunday voted in a referendum on constitutional amendments that the ruling military government says will clear the way for presidential elections in February 2024 and a return to democratic rule.¹
• Under the draft constitution, the West African country — hit by a decade of violence by Islamic extremists — is to have a two-chamber legislative system, with a Senate added to the previously existing National Assembly.²
• Other changes expand the role of the president, who is to gain more power over the prime minister and cabinet, and that of the military, which will be given executive authority. The referendum's preliminary results are expected to be announced on Tuesday.³
• The draft reflects changes proposed in previous failed attempts to revise the Malian constitution and also includes the establishment of a separate audit court for government expenditures in line with a 2000 West African Economic and Monetary Union directive.⁴
• With voter turnout expected to have been low, some 8.4M citizens were called to cast ballots in the first electoral test for military leader Assimi Goita, who came to power in a 2020 coup amid the Islamist insurgency coupled with political and economic woes.⁵
• The constitutional referendum came after Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop on Friday called on the UN to withdraw its 13K-strong MINUSMA [United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali] peacekeeping mission from Mali "without delay," saying the force had failed to contain the spread of jihadist violence.⁶

Sources: ¹Al Jazeera, ²Africa News, ³DW, ⁴VOA, ⁵New Vision, and ⁶Voice of Nigeria.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by Ahram Online. While the Malian junta under Colonel Goita claims the referendum is part of a transition back to civilian rule, in reality, it's about consolidating its power. There is no need for a new constitution, as the current one is not responsible for the crisis in Mali. Mali has more pressing problems, such as the fight against terrorism and poverty, and the last thing the Sahel country needs is a personalization of power and Goita running for president in 2024, contrary to the promises of the military government.
• Narrative B, as provided by Mirage News. This plebiscite is a significant stepping stone in the ongoing transition process toward a return to civilian rule and the restoration of constitutional order. The draft constitution is the result of the national reform conference and, despite all the criticism, has been widely welcomed by civil society and religious groups. It also reflects Bamako's commitment to the 2015 peace agreement to address the alarming security crisis. Malians must come together and vote for the draft constitution to relaunch the peace process and pave the way for stability.