Malian president Boubacar Keita has suspended the country’s referendum thereby creating an atmosphere of celebration in the streets of Bamako.
Mali: President Boubacar Keita suspends referendum
The vote which was expected to hold on July 9, 2017, was later pushed forward by Malian authorities.
A successful vote during the referendum would have enshrined elements of a peace deal in the charter as well as establish a senate in parliament.
It was opposed by critics who said it gives excessive powers to president Boubacar Keita.
Activists were worried about provisions which will enable the president to appoint a quarter of the senate and remove the prime minister at will.
Mali has been battling insecurity which worsened over the past years spreading to the north, south and centre.