MALI: Thousands march against constitution referendum

Thousands of Malians have taken to the streets to protest against a planned referendum on constitutional changes that would give extra powers to President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, create new regions and recognise the Tuareg’s ethnic homeland. The government of Mali has delayed the vote, which was originally planned for last week, but still plans to […]

Thousands of Malians have taken to the streets to protest against a planned referendum on constitutional changes that would give extra powers to President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, create new regions and recognise the Tuareg’s ethnic homeland.

The government of Mali has delayed the vote, which was originally planned for last week, but still plans to go ahead with it this year.

Protesters at Sunday’s march in Bamako, the capital, held up placards saying “no” to the constitution, with some brandishing red cards and calling on the president to resign.

Activists are unsettled by provisions that would enable the president to nominate a quarter of the Senate and remove the prime minister at will.

Malians have become increasingly disillusioned with Keita’s government, as the security situation has worsened significantly over the past year and is spreading beyond the desert north to the south and centre, including Bamako.