Mali: Armed groups in the north oppose draft constitution

Aerial view of Gao in northern Mali (illustration image). Souleymane AG ANARA / AFP

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1 min

After Malian political parties, then an association of religious, it is around almost all the armed movements involved in the peace process to say "no" to the draft new Constitution in its current form. The alliance of armed groups said in a statement that the text, which is to be submitted to referendum, does not take into account their concerns.

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With our regional correspondent, Serge Daniel

Among the signatories of the communiqué are the main armed groups rather independentist, autonomist and even pro-Bamako. For all, it is "no" to the draft of the new Constitution yet validated by the transitional authorities.

« Section 6 »

Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, spokesman for the armed movements in the north, who signed the communiqué, gave the details: "When the final version of this draft of the Constitution came out, we saw that it does not take charge of the provisions of the Agreement [peace signed in 2015 with Bamako under the auspices of Algiers]. For example, Article 6 which stipulates that the president of the region must be elected by direct universal suffrage and he is the president of the executive. Instead of him being the governor, now he is the president of the executive, as long as there is free administration, extensive decentralization.

Hard blow

The decision of the armed movements to reject the new draft constitution is yet another blow to the peace process. And it is already rumored that it will be difficult, under these conditions, for the referendum to be held in the areas they control. As of Friday, the Malian government had not yet reacted to the position taken by these armed groups.

► Read also: The independent expert on human rights Alioune Tine "concerned" by the situation in Malii

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