Mali’s military junta announced on Friday that the country will hold a constitutional referendum on June 18.
The new constitution is the first significant step taken by the military towards its plan of continuing to govern until 2024, following the overthrow of former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in August 2020.
A previous deadline of March 19 was missed.
The draft constitution would notably increase the power of the president by enabling them to appoint the prime minister and ministers, terminate their functions, and determine national policies.
The referendum will ask voters to answer a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ question: “Do you approve of the draft constitution?” Members of the security forces will cast their ballots on June 11.
A civilian government is expected to be restored through elections scheduled for February 2024.
Mali has been facing security challenges, including jihadist and separatist insurgencies, since 2012.