The West African country of Mali has officially discarded French from its new constitution, breaking away from the linguistic tradition that has been in place since the country’s independence in 1960.
The June 18 referendum saw an astonishing 96.91% approval rate for the new constitution, leading to the change in the official language from French to another yet to be determined.
With the decision to make French the working language, the 13 national languages spoken in the country have been elevated to official language status.
The country takes pride in its linguistic heritage with an array of about 70 local languages, and back in 1982, languages like Bambara, Bobo, Dogon, and Minianka were designated as national languages.
With the announcement from the presidency, it was revealed that Col. Assimi Goita, Mali’s junta leader, successfully introduced the new constitution on Saturday, signaling the beginning of the Fourth Republic.
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Following their rise to power through a coup in August 2020, Mali’s military has consistently stressed the crucial role of the constitution in the country’s rebuilding process.
The past few years have seen Mali encounter two successive coups, the first in August 2020 and the second in May 2021, thus heightening the country’s political challenges.
The junta’s initial plan was to conduct elections in February 2022, but subsequent developments resulted in the elections being delayed until February 2024.
Mali’s decision to move away from French as the official working language symbolises a powerful statement of the nation’s resolve to reconnect with its cultural roots and promote a greater sense of cohesion among its diverse linguistic groups. This linguistic shift is more than just a change in words; it signifies Mali’s determination to maintain its unique identity and values.