Government postpones constitutional referendum

Mali last week delayed a constitutional referendum due to be held on 9 July in the face of heavy political opposition and street protests. The vote, which aimed to enshrine elements of a 2015 peace deal into the charter and establish a senate in Parliament, came under intense scrutiny in recent weeks. A report on the News24 site notes that the referendum would also enshrine in the Constitution the establishment of five administrative regions in the north elected by popular vote. The referendum faced opposition from those who say it gives President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita excessive powers.