MALIANS have expressed their resounding support for changes to the constitution in Sunday’s referendum, with 97 percent of the votes in favour, the country’s electoral authority announced on Friday. The regional powers and Mali’s ruling military junta, which primarily organised and backed the referendum, believe that this development will pave the way for electio
ns scheduled f
or February 2024 and a return to civilian governance.
Moustapha Cisse, the head of the electoral commission, disclosed that the turnout rate stood at 39.4 percent of the country’s 8.4 million registered voters as he announced the results in Bamako. While some of the proposed clauses in the new constitution, drafted by the transitional council, have generated contention, proponents argue that they will strengthen the fragile political institutions, whereas opponents argue that they grant excessive power to the president.
The referendum itself is regarded by regional bodies and the United Nations as a significant test of the junta’s commitment to the transitional process and its ability to facilitate a nationwide democratic procedure, especially in light of escalating attacks by Islamist militants. However, poll observers reported several security incidents during the vote.
Observers stated that in several villages, voters were compelled to flee as armed gunmen stormed voting centres, disrupting operations and destroying materials. In large areas of northern Mali controlled by militant groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, minimal voting occurred. These regions have been grappling with instability since the 2012 Tuareg rebellion. Northern armed groups, signatories of a 2015 peace agreement, had called for a boycott of the referendum, citing concerns about the process’s inclusivity.
The West African Sahel nation has faced ongoing challenges in achieving stability. Nevertheless, the outcome of the referendum reflects the determination of Malians to shape their country’s future and take significant strides towards elections and civilian rule. As the nation progresses on this transitional path, it faces the critical task of reconciling divergent perspectives and ensuring broader participation in the democratic process.
