Constitution of Mali

The 1992 Constitution of Mali was approved by a referendum on 12 January 1992 after being drawn up by a national conference in August 1991. The constitution provides for multi party democracy within a semi-presidential system.[1]

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It was briefly suspended after the 2012 military coup.[2]

Background

The original Malian constitution was abrogated on 6 December 1968 after a military coup d'état and replaced by a new fundamental law.[3] A new constitution adopted in 1974 after a referendum on 2 June 1974 created a one party state while moving the state from military rule.[4] This constitution lasted until the overthrow of Moussa Traoré in a coup d'état in 1991.

The new regime under Amadou Toumani Touré moved to establish a national conference which drew up the new constitution in August 1991. This constitution was overwhelmingly approved by referendum on 12 January 1992 with over 98% of those voting approving the constitution.[5]

Features

Under the constitution the president is the chief of state and head of the armed forces. He is elected to a five-year term, with a limit of two terms, and appoints the prime minister as head of the government. The Prime Minister is responsible to the National Assembly of Mali and can be removed by a no confidence vote. The constitution provides for multi party democracy with the only prohibition against parties on ethnic, gender, regional or religious grounds.[4]

The constitution states that Mali adheres to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights. It guarantees the right to strike and the independence of the judiciary. The Constitutional Court decides whether laws abide by the constitution and guarantees the liberties and fundamental rights of the people of Mali.

References
  1. Mali: Institutional Situation Archived 2007-06-13 at the Wayback Machine
  2. Voice of America, "Uncertainty Reigns in Mali", Anne Look, 23 March 2012
  3. Mali: key events Archived 2007-07-04 at the Wayback Machine
  4. US Department of State: Background Note: Mali
  5. Elections in Mali
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