In Mali, the draft constitutional review continues to divide the government and the platform “Touche pas à ma constitution”, which is fiercely opposed to holding a referendum. The President of the Republic Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta ensures the continuation of the reform, the “NO” does not want to hear about it.
Within the Platform, the speech has not changed: the pure and simple withdrawal of the reform project. Its members, including the opposition and a large part of the civil society, have made it known this week in an open letter to the President of the Republic. An ultimatum is even given to Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta until August 15. Otherwise, the Platform promises to use all legal means to win the case. Sources specify the use of civil disobedience.
In the letter, supporters of the “NO” expressed their indignation at the silence of Koulouba “despite the various demonstrations” in Bamako and in certain regions.
Just before, President IBK assured in an interview on national television that “no one can say that he is opposed to the fact that the Malian people” exercise their right to vote. “To say that there will be no constitutional review is not republican”, added the President of the Republic, recalling that the Constitutional Court considered in a ruling that the reform project is “constitutionally admissible”.
Until possible consultations on the issue in the coming days, the gap remains large between the two camps. For the Platform, reviewing the constitution at this time would be a serious violation of the 1992 Constitution, in particular article 118, which provides that no review can be made if the integrity of the national territory is threatened. Yet, according to its leaders, almost the whole of the central area is beyond the control of the State, just like Kidal.
Aboubacar Dicko