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Malians go to the polls on Sunday to ratify the governing junta’s constitution. There is speculation that the referendum is a backdoor manipulation by the head of the ruling junta to seek an election as president
Malians go to the polls on Sunday to ratify the governing junta’s constitution. There is speculation that the referendum is a backdoor manipulation by the head of the ruling junta to seek an election as president. The military junta came to power in August 2020 through a coup, purportedly to set right a country facing economic and security issues. The paradox is that such problems are still at large.
The elections in the Sahel region country will take place in March 2024. However, with the election getting nearer, there is no clarity on civilian rule. Many suspect that through the referendum junta leader Colonel Assimi Goita may seek the right to contest the elections as the presidential candidate in the March 2024 election.
The large Sahel nation faces jihadist violence, poverty, poor infrastructure, and a grossly insufficient number of schools. If approved, the new constitution would strengthen the position of the military.
There is persistent speculation that Goita will run for president’s post, despite promises by the military rulers that he will not stand. The reform has drawn wide-ranging opposition, from former rebels and imams to political opponents. Influential religious organizations oppose the continuation of secularism enshrined in the current constitution. Mali’s future is uncertain, with no clarity on the future role of the military, including junta leader Colonel Assimi Goita. Voters could face jihadist violence in the north and center, where groups continue to carry out bloody attacks on civilians and the military.
In the meantime, Colonel Assimi Goïta, and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed telephone security and economic relations between the two countries. The two leaders focused on trade and economic relations, including the delivery of cereals, fertilizers, and fuel by Russia to Mali, the Kremlin said in a press release.
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Colonel Goïta, according to the Kremlin, thanked Vladimir Putin for the humanitarian aid provided, as well as for the help given to ensure security, neutralize the terrorist threat and stabilize the situation in his country, which is poor and landlocked and has been plunged into a deep multiform crisis since 2012.
