The African Union Commission (AUC) on Tuesday welcomed the announcement by Mali’s transitional authorities to hold a referendum on a new constitution in mid-June.
The constitutional referendum in the West African country will be held on June 18, according to a presidential decree.
The new draft constitution intends to strengthen the president’s powers and relegate the French language, which is currently the official language, to the status of “working language.”
He stressed the importance of inclusive, transparent, and credible transition management before the general elections, which are scheduled for March of next year.
The current term of the transitional authorities will expire in Feb. 2024.
As a prelude to the referendum, members of the security forces will vote in advance on June 11, according to the presidential decree