In Mali, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ousmane Sonko, has urged President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to swiftly enact the newly passed constitutional amendment, approved by a supermajority in parliament this week. He emphasized that the Head of State cannot cherry-pick which provisions to enforce or bypass the legislative process by calling for a referendum, asserting that a three-fifths majority vote in the Assembly constitutes both adoption and ratification.
Addressing reporters after the vote, Sonko underscored that the constituent power rests with the National Assembly when it is in session. He dismissed the President’s move to seek a constitutional review by the Supreme Court as unwarranted, noting that the court has already ruled on procedures for parliamentary-led constitutional amendments.
He also challenged President Faye’s objections to key provisions, including mandatory asset declarations upon taking office and leaving, as well as the ban on holding party leadership roles during a presidential term. Sonko pointed out that these very commitments were championed by Faye when he was in opposition, framing them as essential to democratic integrity.
Describing the reform as one of the most transformative steps for Mali’s democratic framework, Sonko argued it would enhance transparency in public governance while cutting the financial burden of democratic processes. He concluded by urging the President to reconsider, warning that a referendum on these reforms would be redundant.
