Mali's Constitutional Referendum: A Step Towards Democracy?

Mali's ruling junta is holding a constitutional referendum to transition back to civilian rule, but experts and political opponents say the true aim is consolidating its power in the increasingly violent and unstable Sahel region. Some of the proposed constitutional amendments give more power to the president, rather than the parliament, hence the political opposition. The international community has pushed for the referendum as part of Mali's path back to civilian governance, but the hopes for emboldened democracy in Mali are pretty low.