In Mali, the Constitutional Council has confirmed that 96.91 percent of votes counted in a referendum on a new draft Constitution were in favor. The new constitution would grant more power to the president and prioritize the armed forces. Opposition groups had called for the referendum to be annulled, claiming irregularities in the voting process. Despite the outcome, critics argue that the constitution is designed to allow the military to maintain power beyond the scheduled presidential elections in 2024. The referendum is seen as a step towards the return to civilian rule by March 2024.

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