In Mali, the debate around the constitutional review continues to rage. The President of the Republic, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, decided to postpone the review project subsequently until a new opinion of the Constitutional Court. The “Antè A Bana Platform”, against the reform, composed of opposition political parties and a part of civil society, maintains pressure on the street and demands “a pure and simple withdrawal. Tiebile Dramé, President Parena (Party for African Renaissance) and member of the opposition, answers questions from Sahelien.com
Sahelien.com: What do you concretely blame the new Constitutional project for?
Tiébilé Dramé : the review project has, in my view, three congenital defects: it proceeds from a cavalier, unilateral and non-inclusive approach that attacks a Constitution that is the product of a consensus of all the living forces of the country. Prior to the referral of the National Assembly, the President of the Republic did not engage in any consultation and discussion with anyone. – The widespread insecurity prevailing in most parts of the country. – The excessive personalization of power: the project gives unlimited powers to the President of the Republic who becomes a kind of Kaya Magan or Moro Naba. In this, it takes us back 26 years. This is a serious setback to democracy.
You have often also pointed out “an opacity” that might surround the drafting of this text, what are you referring to?
This review project was concocted outside Mali by foreign lawyers who were paid generously by the Malian State. Almost 60 years after independence! It is contempt for all Malian executives, an attack on Malian dignity and pride.
“Greatly paid …”?
Hundreds of millions of francs CFA have been disbursed for this work. Insistent allegations of retro commissions paid to personalities in power is circulating without the presidency of the Republic bringing the slightest denial. This case humiliates Mali.
For supporters of the “yes”, all elections in Mali since 2013 have been held under the same conditions as today, what do you think?
Never has Mali been in such a state of insecurity and instability. More than 500 dead in six months. At least 500 schools closed in the north and center. Dozens of administrators forced to flee their posts. Whole sections of the national territory are beyond the control of the State.
The current review attempt has almost nothing to do with the Algiers Agreement.
You are one of the architects of the Ouagadougou agreements, which in a certain way resulted in the Algiers agreement, don’t you think that this agreement contains any institutional reforms that Mali has to put in place in its Constitution?
The current review attempt has almost nothing to do with the Algiers Agreement. The essence of the Algiers Agreement is not in the president’s plan. This agreement serves as a pretext for an unprecedented strengthening of the powers of the President of the Republic.
Is it not better to ask for a rereading of the points of disagreement than to ask for the removal of the text?
It is not a question of “points of disagreement”. It is the whole operation that is damaged, flawed and badly mounted. This is why the project must be purely and simply withdrawn. The lack of dialogue and consultation, the refusal to seek consensus, put the President of the Republic in an uncomfortable position. He must draw the consequences and avoid any headlong rush.
If we remove this text, what would be the right time for you to undertake a constitutional review when you know that the security situation in the country will not change overnight?
The priority for all Malians is the restoration of stability and security throughout the country. All energies must be directed towards this vital goal.
The President of the Republic has for the time being postponed subsquently the referendum pending a new opinion of the Constitutional Court, what do you hope?
Wanting to review a consensual constitution is not a constitutional court issue. It is an eminently political issue. The president of the republic should not hide behind the constitutional court. He is isolated…
Isolated in what way?
Very isolated on this issue: some opposition and majority parties, labor unions, the CSTM, the Magistracy, the Forum of Civil Society Organizations, the National Council of Civil Society, the Muslim Collective, and Malians from the interior and from the Diaspora are asking him to withdraw his project which divides the country. He can’t remain indifferent to all these calls and to all the mobilization inside and outside.
Aboubacar Dicko