French has been removed as an official language in mali following the outcome of a constitutional referendum which took place on June 18.

96.91% of Malians voted to remove the colonial language and make it a working language across the vast West African country.

Whiles French loses its place as official language for the first time since 1960, in its place, 13 national languages will now be elevated to the status of official languages.

The country has over 70 local languages, some of which have been granted national language status under a decree promulgated in 1982.

The new constitution came into effect on July 22, 2023 after the military ruler, Assimi Goita signed the document which also gave him wideranging powers.

Goita came to power in May 2021 after ousting the then interim civilian president, who was himself installed after a coup in August 2020. Goita was the deputy after the 2020 coup.

Elections in the country wracked by terrorist violence are slated for February 2024. It will usher in the civilian dispenstion of the Fourth Republic.