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Mali, after more than six decades of independence from France, has taken a historic step by removing French as its official language. The decision was enshrined in the country’s new constitution, which was adopted on a Saturday after receiving an overwhelming approval rate of 96.91% in a June referendum, as reported by RT.
Under the new constitution, French will remain as the primary working language, but the country will now officially recognize its 13 national languages. Furthermore, an additional 70 local languages, including Bambara, Bobo, Dogon, and Minianka, some of which were previously granted national language status in 1982, will also be retained and recognized.
Mali has faced a tumultuous period of political instability marked by jihadist insurgencies and two military coups, one in August 2020 and another in May 2021. The military junta that has been ruling the country asserts that a new constitution is crucial for the nation’s rebuilding efforts. They have pledged to return to civilian rule with scheduled elections in February 2024 after an earlier plan had failed.
Interim President Assimi Goita announced that the implementation of the new constitutional framework marks the inception of the Fourth Republic in Mali, signifying a new chapter in the former French colony’s history.
In recent years, relations between Paris and Bamako have strained due to increasing anti-French sentiment across France’s former West African colonies. Concerns about military failures against jihadists and allegations of political interference have contributed to this tension. France withdrew its last troops from Mali in August, ending a nine-year military operation in the country aimed at combating armed groups.
In response to Paris’ decision to suspend development aid to Bamako over concerns about Mali’s association with the Wagner Russian private military company, the military government last year ordered all non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including those funded by France, to cease their operations in the country.
Mali’s decision to remove French as the official language and recognize its diverse linguistic landscape reflects its desire to strengthen its national identity and move forward as an independent nation.
