Constitution of Mali
Encyclopedia
The 1992 Constitution of Mali was approved by a referendum on 12 January 1992 after being drawn up by a national conference in August 1991. The constitution provides for multi party
democracy within a semi-presidential system.
on 6 December 1968 after a military coup d'etat
and replaced by a new fundamental law.
A new constitution adopted in 1974 after a referendum on 2 June 1974 created a one party state while moving the state from military rule. This constitution lasted until the overthrow of Moussa Traoré
in a coup d'état in 1991.
The new regime under Amadou Toumani Touré
moved to establish a national conference which drew up the new constitution in August 1991. This constitution was overwhelmingly approved by referendum on 12 January 1992 with over 98% of those voting approving the constitution.
and can be removed by a no confidence vote
. The constitution provides for multi party democracy with the only prohibition against parties on ethnic, gender, regional or religious grounds.
The constitution states that Mali adheres to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights
. It guarantees the right to strike and the independence of the judiciary. The Constitutional Court decides whether laws abide by the constitution and guarantees the liberties and fundamental rights of the people of Mali.
Multi-party system
A multi-party system is a system in which multiple political parties have the capacity to gain control of government separately or in coalition, e.g.The Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition in the United Kingdom formed in 2010. The effective number of parties in a multi-party system is normally...
democracy within a semi-presidential system.
Background
The original Malian constitution was abrogatedAbrogation
Abrogation may refer to:* Abrogation of Old Covenant laws, the ending or setting aside of the Old Testament ethics for the New Testament.* Denunciation of a treaty* Abrogation doctrine, a doctrine in United States constitutional law...
on 6 December 1968 after a military coup d'etat
Coup d'état
A coup d'état state, literally: strike/blow of state)—also known as a coup, putsch, and overthrow—is the sudden, extrajudicial deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another body; either...
and replaced by a new fundamental law.
A new constitution adopted in 1974 after a referendum on 2 June 1974 created a one party state while moving the state from military rule. This constitution lasted until the overthrow of Moussa Traoré
Moussa Traoré
General Moussa Traoré is a Malian soldier and politician. As a Lieutenant, he led the military ouster of President Modibo Keïta in 1968. Thereafter he served as Head of State from 1968-1979, and President of Mali from 1979 to 1991, when he was overthrown by popular protests and military coup...
in a coup d'état in 1991.
The new regime under Amadou Toumani Touré
Amadou Toumani Touré
Amadou Toumani Touré is the president of Mali. He overthrew a military ruler, Moussa Traoré in 1991, then handed power to civilian authorities the next year...
moved to establish a national conference which drew up the new constitution in August 1991. This constitution was overwhelmingly approved by referendum on 12 January 1992 with over 98% of those voting approving the constitution.
Features
Under the constitution the president is the chief of state and head of the armed forces. He is elected to a five year term, with a limit of two terms, and appoints the prime minister as head of the government. The Prime Minister is responsible to the National Assembly of MaliNational Assembly of Mali
The unicameral National Assembly of Mali is the country's legislative body.The current National Assembly, formed following elections held on 14 and 28 July 2002, has a total of 160 members. 147 members are directly elected in single or multi-member constituencies using the Two-Round system...
and can be removed by a no confidence vote
Motion of no confidence
A motion of no confidence is a parliamentary motion whose passing would demonstrate to the head of state that the elected parliament no longer has confidence in the appointed government.-Overview:Typically, when a parliament passes a vote of no...
. The constitution provides for multi party democracy with the only prohibition against parties on ethnic, gender, regional or religious grounds.
The constitution states that Mali adheres to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a declaration adopted by the United Nations General Assembly . The Declaration arose directly from the experience of the Second World War and represents the first global expression of rights to which all human beings are inherently entitled...
and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights
African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights
The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights is an international human rights instrument that is intended to promote and protect human rights and basic freedoms in the African continent....
. It guarantees the right to strike and the independence of the judiciary. The Constitutional Court decides whether laws abide by the constitution and guarantees the liberties and fundamental rights of the people of Mali.