Mali: Country to remain a secular state

As reported by France24 on 23 June 2023, the military-led government of Mali has announced that a 97% majority of citizens approved the new draft constitution which it claims is crucial for rebuilding Mali and for restoring civilian rule. France24 reports: “Influential religious figures, including prominent imam Mahmoud Dicko, complained that the new constitution retained a clause defining Mali as a secular state.” Meanwhile, the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) intensified its operations by killing at least 17 people in two simultaneous attacks in the Gao region of northern Mali, as reported by AA on 29 June 2023.

World Watch Research analyst Yonas Dembele comments: “The question of whether Mali should become an Islamic republic or remain a secular state engaged various segments of society, including civil societies and religious leaders from a variety of faith traditions. The importance of having a country officially classed as  a secular state is fundamental for ensuring religious freedom for all citizens. A secular state upholds the principle of the separation of religion and state, allowing individuals of diverse religious beliefs to practice their faith freely without undue interference or state favoritism. It provides a neutral ground where individuals can exercise their religious rights and express their beliefs without fear of persecution or discrimination. The referendum provided an opportunity for dialogue, mutual understanding, and the protection of religious freedom for all citizens. It aimed to ensure that the voices of all religious communities, including Christians and other religious minorities, were heard and respected in shaping the future direction of Mali's governance. However, the new constitution will also strengthen the role of the president and the army. As pointed out by France24: Opponents claim the new constitution is a ‘tool for consolidating the junta’s grip’.”

Yonas Dembele continues: “The recent ISGS attacks in northern Mali highlight the persistent threat of violence faced by the local population. These attacks come just as the military government has demanded that the UN peacekeeping force should exit the country immediately (BBC News, 1 July 2023); the government had raised concerns about the effectiveness of the UN mission in responding to security challenges and was irritated over a UN report released in May 2023 alleging that government troops and foreign mercenaries had killed 500 civilians during an anti-jihadist operation in central Mali in March 2022 (OHCHR, 12 May 2023). Especially since the exit of the last French units in August 2022 (France24, 15 August 2022), this further withdrawal of international forces may well create a security vacuum, potentially emboldening and empowering violent militant groups to further expand their influence and carry out more attacks. This would further endanger Christian communities in the region.”