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Mali postpones release of results of long awaited constitutional referendums – JURIST

The nation of Mali postponed the release of the results of its constitutional referendums amid tensions with rebel groups and the UN. Mali’s Independent Election Management Authority (AIGE) has stated that electoral law requires the results be made public no later than June 23.The Election Observation Mission in Mali (MODELE Mali) noted several irregularities and incidents of violence during the vote including burning of election materials, closed polling places due to safety concerns and a terrorist attack in the municipality of Bodio. AIGE estimates a 38% turnout across 24,000 polling stations.The referendum was held months after Mali’s military junta expelled the leader of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) from the country in February. Mali’s Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop asked MINUSMA to leave “without delay” and called MINUSMA “part of the problem in fueling inter-community tensions” in a statement to the UN Security Council last Friday. Diop also told the Security Council that MINUSMA’s purpose was “to create the conditions for [MINUSMA’s] departure” by ensuring the security of Malian citizens.The Malian Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization, Colonel Abdoulaye Maïga, stated that he regrets MINUSMA’s “politicization of the question of human rights, which undermines efforts to stabilize and rebuild Mali.” Russia’s UN Ambassador, Vassily A. Nebenzia, said the Malian government was “dissatisfied with MINUSMA” and said any proposals for revisions of its mandate should be based on “the host country’s opinion.” The US has recently taken action against the Russian-based Wagner Group’s presence in Mali.MINUSMA was established in 2013 by the UN Security Council. MINUSMA’s mandate will expire unless renewed by UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution by June 30. A resolution requires at least nine votes (of fifteen) in favor and no vetoes. A resolution can be unilaterally vetoed by Russia, China, the US, Britain or France.Mali has had three coups since 2012.  A recent attack on UN peacekeeping forces in the region left 8 dead. One UN report alleged Mali’s military was responsible for over 500 deaths in the nation.