Mali's Military Junta Pushes for New Constitution Amid Uncertainty.

Mali's military rulers are holding a constitutional referendum vote, promising a return to civilian rule, but opponents argue changes would give excessive power to the president. The military government, which seized power in coups in 2020 and 2021, promised to hold the plebiscite as part of a transition to democracy under pressure from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Voter turnout is expected to be low due to armed conflict. Some of the changes in the committee-drafted constitution are contentious, with proponents saying they would strengthen fragile political institutions and opponents saying they would give excessive power to the president.