The postponement of the constitutional referendum in Mali has led to speculations about a possible extension of the transitional period. The official announcement from the transitional government on Friday, March 10th, stated that the scheduled referendum on Sunday, March 19th, would be delayed due to technical issues related to the installation of the new Independent Authority for managing elections.
While some have expressed reassurance, others are concerned about the impact of the postponement on the overall transitional process and its timeline. The initial deadline for the electoral calendar, which was agreed upon with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has already been missed, causing further concern.
ECOWAS has not commented on the delay, leaving it unclear whether discussions are ongoing with the Malian authorities or if they are embarrassed by the situation.
The constitutional referendum was expected to be the first step in a series of elections, culminating in the presidential election in February 2024, marking the end of the transitional period. While a new date for the referendum has not yet been announced, the Malian government has reiterated its commitment to the timeline agreed upon with ECOWAS, stating that it remains an “absolute priority”.
Supporters of the transitional authorities believe that the postponement is a prudent decision given the challenges of organizing the referendum. However, others, including opponents and some traditional supporters of the current authorities, view it as a possible indication of the military junta’s desire to extend their stay in power.
The constitutional project has also raised concerns about divisions within Malian society. Despite these concerns, the Malian government remains committed to the transition process, and the next steps are being closely watched by both local and international actors.