Mali’s military rulers are postponing a constitutional referendum which was due to take place later this month and was supposed to be a key milestone of the planned transition to civilian rule.
Last July the West African regional bloc, Ecowas, lifted sanctions on Mali after the military leader, Colonel Assimi Goita, said elections would be held in February next year.
But the latest reports suggest that the decision to postpone the referendum was no surprise and will prompt suspicion that Col Goita wants to prolong his stay in power.
Mali is currently facing a growing security crisis with frequent attacks by jihadist groups.
