Mali’s Ruling Junta Shifts Focus to Civilian Rule, Postpones Referendum.

Mali’s ruling junta will delay a planned constitutional referendum but will stay committed to the timeline agreed upon to transition back to civilian rule.

The announcement was made by a government spokesperson on Friday, inciting a shift in focus towards returning to democracy.

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"The transitional government informs national and international opinion that the date of the referendum scheduled for March 19 2023... Will be slightly postponed," Abdoulaye Maiga said. 

The 2021 Malian coup d'état began on the night of 24 May 2021 when the Malian Army led by Vice President Assimi Goïta captured President Bah N'daw, Prime Minister Moctar Ouane and Minister of Defence Souleymane Doucouré.

In March, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) demanded the organisation of elections within 12 to 16 months but the bloc's mediation has failed to persuade Bamako to limit the transition period.

The CNT’s members were appointed by Colonel Assimi Goita, who has been head of the country since May 2021.

Mali has been struggling with a decade-long insurgency which the deployment of foreign forces has failed to resolve. It has experienced two military coups since August 2020.

As for Guinea and Burkina Faso, where the military seized power in September 2021 and January 2022 respectively, ECOWAS has called on the junta to quickly hand back power to the people.

All three have been suspended from ECOWAS proceedings. Mali faces heavy economic sanctions.

The referendum is a milestone on the road to elections promised for February 2024.