Mali’s Draft Constitution Demotes French Language

The draft Constitution of Mali reduced the status of French from the official language of the State, which was the case since the country’s independence, to a “working language” only, according to French media.
The draft insists on the promotion of local languages, making them the official languages of the Republic.
Several members of the Transitional Parliament of Mali expressed the need to adopt a new official language such as English or Arabic rather than French.
Mali’s interim president Assimi Goita received the draft of the new Constitution on Feb. 27. The document should be submitted to a referendum on Mar. 19.