Politics

Referendum result shows 97% of Malian voters want changes in constitution

Published

1 year ago

June 24, 2023

Results from Sunday’s referendum in Mali have been announced, and as 97% of voters favoured changes to the country’s constitution.

The head of the electoral commission, Moustapha Cisse revealed while announcing the results in Bamako that the turnout was slightly below average at 39.4% which is 8.4 million registered voters.

Political opposition has faulted some of the provisions of the referendum, citing the concentration of power to the executive head- the president but the proponents of the referendum believe that some of its provisions would strengthen fragile political institutions.

In particular, at a time when Islamist militants are stepping up attacks, regional organizations like the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations view the referendum as a crucial test of the junta’s willingness to adhere to the transition and hold a nationwide democratic process.

Although the referendum was initially scheduled to hold in March, it was postponed as the ruling junta argued that delaying the referendum would give them more time to legitimize their rule until the following presidential election by establishing the election management body’s representatives and spreading public awareness of the constitutional draft.

A new constitution is a crucial component of the extensive reform initiative that the military has used as justification for continuing to rule until 2024.

Mali’s military leader, Col. Assimi Gota, who had already taken over Mali’s government twice in nine months, detained Prime Minister Moctar Ouane and interim President Bah Ndaw in 2021 after accusing them of failing to perform their duties and attempting to obstruct the West African nation’s transition to democracy.

It is left to be seen if he will finally hand over to a civil government as scheduled.

Politics

Mali’s junta names spokesman Abdoulaye Maiga new Prime Minister

Published

5 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

A day after dismissing Choguel Maiga for criticising the government, Mali’s governing junta named its spokesperson, Abdoulaye Maiga, as Prime Minister on Thursday, according to state broadcaster, ORTM.

A source close to Choguel Maiga told Reuters that the ruling generals were incensed by Maiga’s remarks over the weekend denouncing the junta’s inability to hold elections within the 24-month timeframe given for the return to democracy.

After promising to hold elections in February, the military authorities, who took control in two separate coups in 2020 and 2021, have put off the poll indefinitely, citing technological difficulties.

Choguel Maiga’s firing coincides with indications of growing discontent and disarray among Mali politicians, even those who first supported the coup and collaborated with the junta.

As the wait for elections continues, Choguel Maiga, a civilian prime minister who was installed by the military junta in 2021, is the most recent to lose support.

He was cited on Saturday as claiming he learnt of the junta’s decision via the media and that there had been no discussion regarding the delay of the elections inside the cabinet.

“It’s all happening in total secrecy, without the prime minister’s knowledge,” Choguel Maiga told reporters.

Before then, he had frequently stood up for Mali’s junta against criticism from foreign friends and neighbours in West Africa who denounced its repeated election delays and military collaboration with Russian mercenaries.

As government spokesperson, Abdoulaye Maiga, the new prime minister, has also made strong public remarks against France, the previous colonial master. One such speech was demanding French President Emmanuel Macron to stop his “neocolonial” and “condescending” behaviour.

Abdoulaye Maiga and Assimi Goita, the leaders of the junta, announced they had kept all of the important cabinet ministers in their portfolios in the new administration in a statement that was broadcast on state television ORTM.

The announcement said that Abdoulaye Maiga will remain minister of territory administration.

Politics

Congo opposition mobilizes protests against constitution review

Published

1 day ago

November 21, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

In response to President Felix Tshisekedi’s intentions to amend the constitution, opposition lawmakers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have called for national protests on Wednesday.

Tshisekedi, who was sworn in for his second and last term in January, said that a panel would be formed in October to recommend possible constitutional amendments.

According to critics, it may be a ploy to lift term restrictions and give him another chance to run.

Tshisekedi said the current constitution, ratified by a referendum in 2005, needed to change because it did not align with the country’s current realities.

Opposition politicians, including former president Joseph Kabila and past presidential candidates Martin Fayulu and Moise Katumbi, issued a unified statement on Wednesday urging rallies to “block” Tshisekedi.

A request for a response from the Congo’s presidency was not answered.

Patrick Muyaya, the minister of communications, stated on Monday that discussions surrounding the constitutional revision should be de-politicized and that no one should doubt the president’s intentions.

“We’re at the beginning of our mandate… The President of the Republic still has four years to go, and we must avoid attributing intentions to him,” Muyaya told reporters.